Tech Giants in orbit: How Amazon and Microsoft are redefining the rules of NewSpace

Tech giants look to the sky; Amazon and Microsoft have moved their technological battle to space, becoming key players in the NewSpace economy. While Amazon is committed to physical infrastructure with its Project Kuiper, Microsoft dominates the field of space software with Azure Orbital, marking two different but complementary approaches in this new commercial frontier.

Amazon's Project Kuiper; Internet from space with a record investment of $10 billion, Amazon is building its own constellation of 3,236 satellites to deliver global internet. This move positions Jeff Bezos in direct competition with Elon Musk and Starlink, promising low-latency connectivity for remote areas and enterprise applications.

AWS Ground Station; with the cloud coming to space, Amazon Web Services has developed a global network of virtualized ground stations, allowing businesses to access satellite data without the need for expensive physical infrastructure. This service is already used by space startups and government agencies for image processing and communications.

Microsoft Azure Orbital; the brains of space operations that Microsoft has opted for a different strategy, making its Azure platform the preferred operating system for space missions. Azure Orbital allows you to manage entire satellite constellations and process spatial data with built-in AI tools.

The battle for Government Contracts; both giants compete fiercely for lucrative contracts with space agencies and armed forces. Microsoft has gained ground with the U.S. Space Force, while Amazon works closely with NASA on cloud computing projects for space research.

Key partnership strategies; Microsoft has woven a network of strategic partners with companies such as SES and KSAT, while Amazon has joined forces with Lockheed Martin and Blue Origin (Bezos' space company) to strengthen its position in the sector.

Innovation in space services; Amazon is revolutionizing access to satellite data with on-demand services, while Microsoft integrates enterprise tools such as Power BI and Dynamics 365 with geospatial information, creating complete solutions for sectors such as agriculture and logistics.

The future of Orbital Computing; both are investing in edge computing capabilities in space, allowing data to be processed directly in orbit. Microsoft is advancing digital simulations of space environments, while Amazon is exploring the use of its Lambda technology for real-time analytics.

Impact on the NewSpace economy; The entry of these technological titans has accelerated the commercialization of space, lowering barriers to entry for startups and creating an ecosystem of complementary services that is transforming the traditional space industry.

The next frontier; beyond Earth orbit, while Amazon explores lunar applications for its technology, Microsoft is already working on solutions for future Martian bases. Its competition is not only defining NewSpace's present, but it is laying the technological foundations for the commercial interplanetary exploration of the future.