The Filecoin Foundation and Lockheed Martin Corporation are developing an Interplanetary File System (IPFS) distribution program in space.

to announce it @FilFoundation working with @LMSpace to bring @IPFS into space! 🚀

Learn more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tqRA6qtaG3

— Filecoin Foundation (@FilFoundation) 23 May 2022

The partners plan to create an infrastructure to reduce costs and accelerate information exchange outside the world domain.

“Soon, space will no longer be just a destination. It will host a new economy independent of the Earth. Our work with Filecoin strengthens the investment in establishing the necessary infrastructure. “We need to evolve the technology to support a long-term presence in space,” said Joe Landon, Lockheed Martin’s vice president.

According to Martha Belcher, President of the Filecoin Foundation, the modern internet “does not work in space.” For example, when sending a request from the Moon, the delay will be a few seconds due to the need to receive data from a central server on Earth. With IPFS, content is retrieved from the closest available locations, greatly reducing time and costs.

“Ultimately, the IPFS decentralized storage model will enable more efficient communication in space by minimizing the frequency of data exchange with Earth. It will also help reduce the load on onboard memory capacity for spacecraft exploring planets and other celestial bodies,” said Belcher.

In the first phase of cooperation, the partners plan to identify by September 2022:

• a space platform to house the first IPFS payload;
• requirements for mutual compatibility of equipment;
• The possibility of a demonstration mission to use IPFS in space.

A space mission to low earth orbit is initially considered, as the project requires the electronics to operate outside the earth’s atmosphere, along with taking into account the power, mass, and volume of the equipment.

Recall that the launch of the main Filecoin network took place in October 2020.