Satellite Blockchain Data Management via CubeSat Clustering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of deploying and maintaining satellites for organizations with limited or intermittent needs hinder the utilization of satellite technology, as existing solutions require full satellite systems with continuous operations.
Innovation Solution
A satellite platform utilizing a cluster of CubeSat devices with shared pooled data storage and virtual nodes, enabling efficient data management and storage across multiple satellites based on processing capacity, orbital location, and communication factors, allowing for flexible deployment of applications and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full satellite system is deployed to provide continuous operations, then operational capability and reliability are improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite system is divided into multiple independent CubeSat devices that can operate individually or in coordination. Each CubeSat contains essential functional components, allowing the system to be segmented into manageable units that reduce individual complexity while maintaining overall operational capability through distributed architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple CubeSats are merged into a coordinated network that functions as a unified satellite system. By combining multiple simple units with shared pooled data storage and virtual nodes, the system achieves the operational reliability of a full satellite while keeping individual device complexity low
2Reliability
If a full satellite system is deployed to provide continuous operations, then operational capability is improved, but deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite system is segmented into multiple smaller, less expensive CubeSat units rather than one large expensive satellite. This segmentation allows organizations to deploy only the necessary number of units to achieve required operational capability, significantly reducing deployment cost while maintaining continuous operations through the cluster architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple inexpensive CubeSats that can be deployed in clusters rather than one expensive satellite. The modular design allows for cost-effective deployment where organizations can allocate resources based on specific needs, and the system maintains reliability through redundancy rather than expensive single-point failures
3Productivity
If dedicated satellite resources are allocated for specific applications, then application performance is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The CubeSat cluster implements universal resource pools that can be dynamically allocated to support multiple different applications. Virtual nodes and pooled data storage allow the same physical resources to serve multiple purposes, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining application performance through on-demand resource allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation where computing resources, storage, and network bandwidth are allocated based on real-time application needs. Virtual nodes can migrate between physical CubeSats, and resources are provisioned dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to varying workload demands and improve overall resource utilization efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for managing data storage in a satellite platform. In one implementation, a satellite platform includes a plurality of satellites, wherein a first satellite of the platform is configured to identify a request for a ledger entry for a blockchain maintained by the satellite platform and, in response to the request, distribute the ledger entry to one or more other satellites of the satellite platform, wherein the one or more other satellites comprise full nodes for the blockchain. Once distributed, the one or more other satellites each determine whether the ledger entry is verified and, when the ledger entry is verified, enters the ledger entry in a ledger for the satellite.