Spire Global and SpaceChain Announce New Partnership

September 28, 2021

Spire Global, Inc. announced a new partnership with SpaceChain, a global space-as-a-service solutions provider developing the world’s first decentralized satellite infrastructure (DSI). Together, Spire and SpaceChain are launching a mission to demonstrate the feasibility of blockchain technology computation in space and resolve land-based centralized infrastructure issues.

Many in the blockchain industry have been working to reduce points of risk whereby a centralized administrator or authority can tamper with, or in the worst case, steal funds and data. One potential solution is to decentralize access by distributing data across multiple centers, countries, and continents. By deploying a solution in space, Spire and SpaceChain aim to maximize data security and increase the resiliency of computing operations.

SpaceChain is reimagining the space industry, having worked with all quarters of the ecosystem ranging from launch service providers, national space agencies, satellite manufacturers to data analytics startups. The integration of blockchain and space technologies helps create a Decentralized Satellite Infrastructure (DSI) on which Decentralized Satellite Applications (DSA) can be built and run without the need for any land-based infrastructure.

“Space is the next frontier for businesses, and through Spire’s satellite infrastructure we are taking global collaboration to the ultimate vantage point,” said Zee Zheng, SpaceChain co-founder and CEO. “This partnership will help us leverage satellite-based computing to remove barriers and create a more open, collaborative and global economy.”

Spire will utilize its “SABERTOOTH” supercomputing module, the company’s fastest and most power-efficient embedded AI computing device, to fulfill a two-part mission with SpaceChain. Initially, Spire will conduct an on-orbit upload of SpaceChain’s software to an existing satellite, before further building out SpaceChain’s capabilities via a payload on a new satellite, expected to be launched later this year.

“We’re delighted to work alongside SpaceChain and demonstrate innovative ways to leverage outer space,” said Theresa Condor, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Spire Space Services. “Space-based computation is already proving its value across countless industries and use cases, and we’re excited to help realize its potential for emerging and decentralized blockchains.”