Space Platform

What technology stack enables permissionless space infrastructure?

The same ABCD stack that powers terrestrial DePIN applies to space — but each layer faces unique constraints from physics, regulation, and capital requirements.

The ABCD Stack in Space

Layer	Function	Space Application	Status
A - AI	Pattern recognition	Orbital optimization, EO analysis, debris prediction	🟢 Active
B - Blockchain	Immutable record	Spectrum rights, data provenance, collision records	🟡 Emerging
C - Crypto	Aligned incentives	Tokenized capacity, data markets, ground station rewards	🔴 Nascent
D - DePIN	Physical layer	Satellites, ground stations, launch infrastructure	🟡 Centralized

Layer D: Physical Infrastructure

Launch Infrastructure

Component	Players	DePIN Potential
Launch vehicles	SpaceX, Rocket Lab, RFA	Low (capital intensive)
Launch sites	Cape Canaveral, Mahia, Wallops	Low (regulatory)
Payload integration	Each provider	Medium (standardization)

Space Segment

Component	Players	DePIN Potential
Satellites	Starlink, OneWeb, Planet	Medium (tokenization)
Inter-satellite links	Starlink laser mesh	Low (proprietary)
Orbital slots	ITU coordination	Low (regulatory)

Ground Segment

Component	Players	DePIN Potential
Ground stations	AWS, KSAT, Atlas	HIGH (permissionless)
User terminals	Starlink Dishy, others	Medium (subsidy model)
Backhaul	Fiber, cellular	Existing DePIN (Helium)

Best entry point: Ground stations. Unlike launch vehicles or satellites, ground antennas can be deployed permissionlessly in most jurisdictions.

Rocket Lab's Platform Stack

From the data architecture:

Components (solar cells, star trackers, reaction wheels)
       ↓
Spacecraft Platforms (Photon, Pioneer, Lightning)
       ↓
Launch Services (Electron, HASTE, Neutron)
       ↓
Mission Operations (ground control, telemetry)
       ↓
Data Products (EO, positioning, comms)

The vertical integration thesis: Own the stack → own the data → own the predictions → own the customer relationship.

Layer A: AI in Space

Current Applications

Application	What AI Does	Maturity
Orbital optimization	Route planning, fuel efficiency	🟢 Production
Debris prediction	Conjunction analysis	🟢 Production
EO analysis	Object detection, change monitoring	🟢 Production
Autonomous operations	Satellite decision-making	🟡 Emerging
Ground scheduling	Pass optimization	🟢 Production

Edge AI in Orbit

Emerging capability: AI inference on satellites themselves.

Benefit	Example
Reduced downlink	Process images onboard, send only results
Faster response	Real-time detection without ground round-trip
Autonomous tasking	Satellite decides what to image next

AI + Space Data Flywheel

More satellites → More data → Better AI models
       ↑                              ↓
    Value         ←←←←←←←         Better products

The data moat: Companies with the most satellite data (Planet, Maxar, Starlink) have the best training sets for space AI.

Layer B: Blockchain for Space

Current Use Cases

Use Case	What Blockchain Provides	Status
Data provenance	Cryptographic proof of capture time/location	🟡 Pilots
Spectrum rights	Immutable allocation records	🔴 Concept
Collision records	Auditable conjunction history	🔴 Concept
Supply chain	Component traceability	🟡 Emerging

Missing Infrastructure

Gap	Why It Matters	Opportunity
Satellite identity	No standard for machine passports	First-mover wins
Cross-constellation coordination	Proprietary protocols fragment	Standard captures value
Debris liability	Attribution requires proof	Blockchain evidence

Layer C: Crypto Economics

Tokenization Opportunities

Asset	Current Model	Token Model	Barrier
Satellite capacity	Enterprise contracts	Fractional ownership	Regulatory
Ground station time	Per-pass pricing	Token-gated access	Need network
EO data	Subscription/per-image	Data marketplace	Standards
Spectrum	Licensed bands	Dynamic allocation	ITU

Incentive Alignment

Participant	Incentive	Token Mechanism
Ground station operators	Deploy antennas	Rewards for passes completed
Data providers	Share imagery	Payment for verified data
Compute nodes	Process data	Rewards for inference
Validators	Verify claims	Staking + slashing

Ground Station DePIN Model

Potential architecture for "Helium for satellite downlinks":

Ground Station Owner
       ↓
Deploy antenna + compute
       ↓
Join permissionless network
       ↓
Receive satellite passes
       ↓
Earn tokens per GB downlinked
       ↓
Staking for quality assurance

Critical requirements:

• Technical: Compatible with target constellations
• Regulatory: Local antenna permissions
• Economic: Token value sustains hardware investment

Platform Comparison

Platform Layer	Centralized (Current)	DePIN (Opportunity)
Launch	SpaceX, Rocket Lab	Not viable (capital)
Satellites	Starlink, OneWeb	Tokenized constellations
Ground	AWS, KSAT	Best entry point
Data	Planet, Maxar	Composable markets
Compute	Cloud providers	Orbital edge + ground

The Insight

"Ground infrastructure is the soft underbelly of the space industry — the one layer where permissionless deployment is possible without $100M in launch costs."

Context

• Space Industry — Parent analysis
• ABCD Stack — Technology framework
• DePIN — Physical infrastructure patterns
• Telecom Platform — Ground network parallels

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The Meta Question

"Which space infrastructure layers can be decentralized — and which are necessarily centralized?"