Microsoft also revealed that the Azure Orbital Emulator provides a computer emulated environment with the ability to test satellite constellation operations in simulation. This takes a combination of software and hardware.
Microsoft Azure aims to recreate in-space conditions in order to better coordinate large, interconnected constellations of automated satellites in low Earth orbit, like SpaceX’s Starlink.
The Azure Orbital Emulator is already in use by Azure’s government customers and is increasingly in-demand by defense agencies and private companies.
There are efficiencies and cost savings advantages to this technology. It is designed to help users spot potential problems very early on. The sooner problems are found the easier they are to fix. It becomes more complicated and more expensive to fix things once they are in orbit.
Microsoft says the goal of the Emulator is to enhance AI training for spacecraft before its actual launch. This will allow tracking from the development phase to production hardware before it is sent to space.
