Crypto Quill

The Filecoin Foundation (FF) and Lockheed Martin Space have achieved a remarkable feat by successfully deploying the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) in space. IPFS is a decentralized content distribution system that can bring the benefits of decentralized technologies to space to enable better communications across long distances and resilience in challenging environments.

What is IPFS and why is it important for space?

IPFS is a protocol that allows users to store and retrieve files from a network of peers, rather than from a central server. Each file is identified by a unique content ID, which can be used to locate the file from the nearest source. This eliminates the need for round-trip communication to a specific location, which can be slow and unreliable in space.

IPFS also ensures data verification and resilience, as each file can be cryptographically verified to ensure it has not been altered or corrupted. Moreover, multiple copies of the same file can be stored in different locations, providing redundancy and fault-tolerance in case of hardware damage or radiation-induced errors.

IPFS was envisioned as a technology that could enable networking in space, as its name suggests. However, until now, there was no practical demonstration of its capabilities in the space environment.

How did the demonstration work and what were the results?

The demonstration involved sending two files from Earth to a CubeSat in orbit and back using an implementation of the IPFS protocol designed for space communications. The files were the IPFS white paper and an image of Biscuit, the mascot of the Filecoin Foundation.

The CubeSat was equipped with Lockheed Martin’s SmartSat technology, a software platform that allows for dynamic and flexible mission changes in orbit through simple app uploads. The IPFS app ran on top of the SmartSat platform and communicated with a ground station using a radio link.

The demonstration was successful, as the files were transmitted and received without any errors or delays. The results showed that IPFS can work in space and provide faster, more secure, and more resilient data exchange than the traditional centralized Internet model.

What are the implications and future prospects of this mission?

This mission marks a significant milestone for the field of space communications, as it showcases the potential of decentralized technologies for space exploration and communication. IPFS can enable faster and more efficient data transfer between spacecraft, satellites, and ground stations, as well as between different planets and celestial bodies.

IPFS can also enhance the security and integrity of space data, as it allows for cryptographic verification and redundancy of the data. This can prevent tampering, hacking, or corruption of the data, which can have serious consequences for scientific research, navigation, or safety.

Furthermore, IPFS can enable more resilience and autonomy in space operations, as it allows for data storage and retrieval without relying on a single point of failure or a centralized authority. This can improve the robustness and flexibility of the space infrastructure, especially in the face of unpredictable or hostile situations.

The Filecoin Foundation and Lockheed Martin Space plan to continue their collaboration and explore more applications and use cases of IPFS in space. They hope to inspire more innovation and adoption of decentralized technologies in the space sector, and ultimately, to realize the vision of an interplanetary file system.