Lonestar, a data storage and resilience company, has partnered with semiconductor firm Phison to launch a groundbreaking data center infrastructure aimed at the moon. This innovative initiative was set in motion when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on Wednesday, carrying Phison’s Pascari solid-state drives (SSDs) filled with data from Lonestar’s clients. Scheduled to land on March 4, this mission marks the inception of the first lunar data center, with plans to expand its capacity to hold up to a petabyte of data in the future.
Chris Stott, the founder and CEO of Lonestar, explained that the concept of a space-based data center originated in 2018, well before the recent surge in demand for data storage driven by advancements in artificial intelligence.
He emphasized the importance of storing data off Earth to protect it from climate-related disasters and cyber threats, stating, “Humanity’s most precious item, outside of us, is data.” Stott highlighted that data is viewed as the new oil, if not even more valuable.
The collaboration with Phison was a natural fit, as the company has experience in providing storage solutions for space missions, including NASA’s Perseverance Rover on Mars. Michael Wu, Phison’s president, expressed excitement about customizing their products for this unique mission.
Since their partnership began in 2021, Lonestar and Phison have worked diligently to develop SSDs suitable for space, ensuring their technology is robust enough to withstand the challenges of space travel. Wednesday’s launch carried a variety of data, including information from government agencies focused on disaster recovery and even a music video from the band Imagine Dragons.
As the demand for hardware continues to grow, other companies, like Lumen Orbit, are also exploring space-based storage solutions. Looking ahead, Lonestar plans to collaborate with satellite manufacturer Sidus Space to launch six data storage spacecraft between 2027 and 2030, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing data storage in space.
