Podcast Title: T-Minus Space Daily
Host/Author: N2K Networks
Episode: AWS in Orbit: Data Automation and Space Domain Awareness with K on Space
Release Date: December 14, 2024

Introduction

In the December 14, 2024 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazas, listeners are taken on an insightful journey into the intersection of cloud computing, space technologies, and generative AI. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Araz Faizi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at K on Space, and Tim Sills, Lead Security Solutions Architect for AWS Americas. Together, they explore the transformative role of data automation and space domain awareness in the rapidly evolving space industry.

Guest Introductions

Araz Faizi shares his passion for technology, tracing his journey from a middle school Commodore 64 enthusiast to a seasoned technology leader. With a focus on automation and streamlining processes, Araz has spearheaded efforts in various companies, both startups and Fortune 500 giants.

Tim Sills introduces himself as part of the AWS team, where he collaborates closely with customers like Araz to deploy secure and compliant cloud solutions. His expertise lies in architecting cloud infrastructures that support robust security frameworks.

Founding and Evolution of K on Space

Maria Varmazas kicks off the discussion by asking Araz about the genesis of K on Space. Araz recounts the story of meeting his co-founder, Ciamac, during high school and their divergent passions—Araz’s for automation and Ciamac’s for space. This complementary dynamic laid the foundation for K on Space.

Araz Faizi [02:41]: "We're moving from old space to new space, where the cost of going to space is a fraction of what it used to be, leading to explosive growth in the commercial space industry."

In 2019, recognizing the burgeoning opportunities, Araz and Ciamac launched K on Space, initially tackling the critical issue of collision avoidance in orbit. Their solution provided real-time notifications of high-risk conjunctions and offered optimal maneuver options to prevent satellite collisions.

Products and Services

K on Space has developed two flagship products:

1. Pathfinder:
   Utilized by over 20 satellite operators, Pathfinder serves as a premier space traffic coordination platform. It facilitates the coordination between satellite operators to manage high-risk conjunctions effectively.

2. SatCat.com:
   Launched as an open-source platform, SatCat aggregates data from various government and commercial sources, offering a comprehensive repository for space data enthusiasts, operators, government agencies, and researchers.

Tim Sills [05:22]: "The satcat.com site can be mesmerizing, but it also highlights the severe congestion and debris tracked in space."

The rapid adoption of SatCat.com led to a "hockey stick" growth, prompting K on Space to reconsider and expand the platform's future capabilities.

Growth and Scalability

Araz discusses the unexpected and rapid growth of SatCat.com, which was largely organic, achieved without any advertising efforts. This surge necessitated a strategic pivot for K on Space, focusing more on enhancing SatCat's functionalities to cater to a diverse user base.

Araz Faizi [05:46]: "We've seen tremendous growth in the number of users, and it's been a hockey stick growth. We had to start rethinking SatCat and envisioning a new future for it."

Tim Sills emphasizes the role of AWS in supporting this scalability, highlighting the importance of on-demand resources and data fusion capabilities provided by AWS.

Tim Sills [06:14]: "With AWS and the scalability it offers, handling the fusion of data from various resources is sustainable and efficient."

Security and Government Clients

Security is paramount for K on Space, especially when serving government clients. Araz outlines their stringent security measures, leveraging AWS's robust infrastructure to ensure data protection and compliance.

Araz Faizi [10:47]: "We take security very seriously from day one. Building on AWS means handling physical security and server safety is managed, allowing us to focus on our core services."

K on Space utilizes AWS GovCloud for government customers with specific security requirements, benefiting from AWS's comprehensive security services and quick access to AWS experts for policy and compliance queries.

Araz Faizi [11:20]: "Working with the AWS team has been incredibly helpful, not just for infrastructure but also for accessing resources and support when needed."

Tim Sills adds that AWS's secure and compliant environment aligns perfectly with K on Space's scalability needs, ensuring that security posture remains robust even as the company grows.

Tim Sills [12:50]: "Using AWS accelerates their path to compliance, and their security posture strengthens as they scale."

Space Domain Challenges

The space environment, especially Low Earth Orbit (LEO), presents unique challenges due to the exponential increase in satellite numbers and the associated congestion. Araz differentiates between the relatively serene interactions in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and the high-velocity, densely populated LEO.

Araz Faizi [14:27]: "In LEO, you don't have the luxury of time. A breakup event can instantly affect thousands of satellites within hours."

He underscores the necessity for mission-critical systems like K on Space's to remain operational under extreme load conditions, which AWS's scalable infrastructure adeptly supports.

Role of AWS in Supporting K on Space

AWS plays a crucial role in ensuring K on Space's solutions are both scalable and resilient. The use of multiple AWS Regions and Availability Zones provides the necessary redundancy and fault tolerance.

Tim Sills [17:55]: "With AWS's regions and availability zones, K on Space can protect and scale their operations to meet highly sensitive and urgent demands."

This collaboration enables K on Space to maintain service availability even during unexpected surges in activity, such as debris from satellite breakups.

Automation and Autonomy in Space Operations

Automation stands at the core of K on Space's mission. Araz explains how automation and software solutions allow satellite operators to focus on their primary missions without getting bogged down by repetitive operational tasks.

Araz Faizi [19:25]: "Automation and autonomy are at the core of what we do. We believe satellite operators should focus on their missions, letting our software handle the rest."

K on Space automates collision avoidance, conjunction assessment, orbit-keeping maneuvers, and space traffic coordination. This approach reduces the need for large operational teams and minimizes human error.

Tim Sills reinforces this by highlighting how AWS removes the "undifferentiated heavy lifting," allowing companies to concentrate on delivering their unique value propositions.

Tim Sills [21:54]: "By leveraging AWS, K on Space can focus on mission operations while we handle the underlying infrastructure."

Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

As the conversation wraps up, Araz emphasizes K on Space's role as an enabler of growth within the space industry, dedicated to solving emerging challenges through their SatCat platform.

Araz Faizi [23:59]: "We're working day and night to solve problems that are coming up and leveraging SatCat to address them. Stay tuned on SatCat."

Tim Sills expresses excitement about the future developments of K on Space and the continued collaboration with AWS to support their innovative solutions.

Tim Sills [24:22]: "I can't wait to see what K on Space develops next. We'll be monitoring SatCat to see the new developments."

Maria Varmazas concludes the episode by thanking the guests and encouraging listeners to explore more resources on the N2K Networks website.

Conclusion

This episode of AWS in Orbit underscores the pivotal role of automation and robust cloud infrastructure in advancing space domain awareness. Through the collaboration between K on Space and AWS, the space industry is better equipped to handle the complexities of an ever-growing orbital environment, ensuring safer and more efficient space operations for all stakeholders.

For additional resources and more episodes in the AWS in Orbit series, visit space.n2k.com.