Filecoin Foundation emphasized the effectiveness of decentralized systems in overcoming delays inherent in space communications.
Filecoin Foundation announced on January 16 that it had completed a demonstration that employed an implementation of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for space communications.
The demonstration involved sending files from Earth to outer space and back again. According Filecoin Foundation, the demonstration is the culmination of nearly three years of collaboration with the aerospace company Lockheed Martin.
This partnership eventually with Filecoin Foundation produced fruit when the project demonstrated the effectiveness of decentralized systems in space. To clarify, Belcher said:
“From the beginning, it was actually envisioned as a technology that could enable long-distance networking, like in space. That’s why it was called the InterPlanetary File System. We finally have realized this original vision.”
As a result of this, Belcher suggested that decentralized systems are more effective in the field of space communications. It was explained by Belcher that there are delays in space, even though centralized systems do not exhibit any problems on Earth.
On the moon, the delay is measured in multiple seconds, while on Mars, it is measured in multiple minutes. Every time someone has to take a file, they have to travel “from Earth, all the way back to space.” This is the reason for the delay.
Belcher stated that this device is not suitable for use in space When it comes to a decentralized system. Belcher noted that rather than searching for files based on their location, the protocol makes use of a content identification system, which enables file access from the satellite that is geographically closest to the user.
“If there is someone nearby, such as an orbiting satellite or if you are on the moon, and if there is anywhere that the file exists that is closer, it will pull it from wherever it is closest,” Belcher explained further.
In addition to its quickness, Belcher highlighted that the IPFS makes it possible to verify the data. Cryptography is used to check the sent data and ensure it remains unaltered.
When it comes to determining whether or not satellite photographs are genuine, this is helpful, as stated by the executive. As Belcher put it, several problems with centralized architecture were also brought to the attention of the executive of Filecoin Foundation particularly radiation and debris from space.
In his explanation, Belcher stated that the storage of files in space is difficult because variables like radiation could potentially destroy the files.
“The data gets a content ID, and that means if it’s tampered with, the content ID will change, which means you can actually cryptographically verify that data is the satellite image you took.”
If the protocol were decentralized, Belcher believes that retrieving the files from every location would prevent any potential problems, such as radiation destroying the files.