< Global Issues >
B: Wow, check out this photo! It’s an aurora taken by NASA. Isn’t it gorgeous?
A: Absolutely! It’s stunning. By the way, have you heard of space data? This photo is actually part of it.
B: Space data? What’s that exactly?
A: It’s basically any kind of information related to space—like photos, geographic data collected by satellites, and even climate data. It’s a field that’s really booming right now!
B: That’s awesome!
A: But do you know that space data is not produced by just one nation?
B: Not just one nation… Does it mean that many countries produce space data together?
A: Yes! The space industry including space data requires enormous technology and capital, so one nation cannot bear it. Therefore international cooperation is essential to space development. Do you know about the ISS?
B: Yes, I know! International Space Station, ISS. I have known it as the station in space.
A: Right! ISS is the space station that centers on Canada, USA, Japan, Europe, Russia. The station is made up of modules created by each country. 5 countries manage and control their own parts of the station.
A: ISS brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, training, engineering, communication networks, and the international scientific research communities.
B: It means that the ISS gathers space data of each country together. Is that all?
A: Not at all, ISS provides amazing laboratories where countries can obtain space data! ISS is called the greatest laboratory of the world and researchers have carried out pioneering scientific experiments which have reshaped our understanding in biology, physics and chemistry. According to NASA, about 3000 experiments of 108 nations have been done on the ISS at least!
B: So international cooperation is truly essential in creating and collecting space data.
A: Yes, it's the most important thing today!
B: Oh, but I recently saw a case of coping with a disaster crisis by sharing space data through international cooperation!
A: Really? What's the case?
B: Have you ever heard of the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters"?
A: Oh... I think I've heard of it somewhere...
B: Yes, you've probably heard of it! Since it was founded in 2000, it has been used more than 700 times in more than 130 countries! This agreement is a rescue and disaster response agreement provided for free by space agencies and is being used by disaster response agencies. The space data that we mentioned earlier is a response to a disaster crisis that includes international cooperation and utilization!
A: Oh! It's so cool just imagining it! I'm really looking forward to using space data in the future
B: Speaking of using space data, it reminded me that climate change is such a major global issue right now. I came across an article suggesting that space data centers could play a role in solving climate issues.
A: I’ve seen that too! They say building data centers in space could help reduce energy use and carbon emissions, which means we could protect the Earth and the environment.
B: Exactly. And not just that, an American startup called Lonestar Data Holdings told the BBC that putting data centers in space could offer a level of security no one else can match.
A: Then why don’t we take a closer look at a real example?
B: Sure. There’s a U.S. startup called Starcloud that’s planning a massive space-based data center powered by solar energy. It’s designed to be about 4 kilometers wide and equipped with cooling panels, generating up to 5 gigawatts. By the end of this year, they’re planning to launch a small satellite into orbit using a SpaceX rocket to test how AI can analyze data directly in space.
A: However, many people are expressing concerns about this. Experts are still cautious. A professor from Ruskin University in the U.K. pointed out that even though private companies like Space X have lowered costs, it still costs thousands of dollars to send just 1 kilogram of equipment into space. Also, Michael Winterson, managing director of the European Data Centre Association, predicted that even a small 1 MW data center in low Earth orbit would need about 280,000 kilograms of rocket fuel, which costs around 140 million dollars. And remember, it’s not only the data equipment that needs to be launched, but also the protective, operating, and cooling systems, which makes the weight much heavier. In addition, since space has no gravity, traditional cooling systems won’t work properly.
B: Costing that much money? That’s a really serious problem.
A: There are more problems. Space has many physical threats too. The space’s atmosphere and lack of gravity can damage electronic devices. Growing space debris can also physically threaten the hardware. And if the data centers break down, remote repair has limits. In some cases, a manned mission would be necessary, which could cause weeks or even months of downtime.
A: That’s not all. Are you aware of the recent case where Russia cyberattacked the U.S. commercial communications satellite ViaSat during the Russia-Ukraine war?
B: Ah, I saw that in the news! Early in the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia launched a cyberattack on ViaSat, a U.S. commercial communications satellite, causing communication disruptions across Ukraine. Come to think of it, I think there was a term for this new type of war.
A: Yes, it's cyberspace warfare. Cyberspace warfare is literally a new type of war that combines outer space and cyberspace. It's not just a cyber attack on the ground, it's centered on a cyber attack directly targeting satellites or space assets. Space is no longer recognized as a space for scientific exploration, but as an important area of the battlefield.
B: Ah, so whoever dominates this space-cyber domain first could determine the outcome of future battles. How are other nations responding to this issue?
A: The U.S. is leading with satellite encryption, AI threat detection, and space-based missile defense, while also promoting cooperation through the Artemis Accords. The EU has merged space and cybersecurity policies, and China is also strengthening its own space-cyber security framework. Also, Japan and Germany are advancing laws, technology, and international cooperation at the national level. Ultimately, who safely manages and defends space has become directly linked to national security.
B: In summary, from now on, a true superpower won't just be a nation that dominates the skies, but one that rules both space and cyberspace?
A: Yes, exactly. Future battlefields are highly likely to unfold not just on land, sea, or air, but in a new domain combining space and cyberspace. So if we don't prepare now, we'll inevitably fall behind.
B: Today's discussion has been truly fascinating. Space cyber security—it sounds like something from the distant future, but I've learned it's actually a reality that's already begun.
A: Yes, It is important that we have lots of concerns about space data. Through us, space data development can lead to more progress and more ethical results.
B: Sounds interesting! Thank you!
By Staff Reporter Lee Seoin (1-1)
Park Yeeun (1-2)
Jang Seojin (1-4)
Noh Eunseo (1-7)
Hwang Jae Young (1-8)
References
Corera, G. (2022, March 25). Russia hacked Ukrainian satellite communications, officials believe. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60796079
BBC. (2022). 우주군: 주한미군 “우주군” 창설...의미와 역할은? BBC News 코리아. https://www.bbc.com/korean/features-63982100
International charter space and major disasters marks 20th Anniversary. UN. (2020). https://un-spider.org/news-and-events/news/international-charter-space-and-major-disasters-marks-20th-anniversary
NASA. (2025, January 17). International Space Station. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/reference/international-space-station/
BBC. (n.d.). 달과 지구 궤도에 데이터 센터를 설치하겠다는 계획은 실현 가능할까? BBC News 코리아. https://www.bbc.com/korean/articles/c24qqdy9vypo
[김승조의 혁신의 우주경제] 데이터센터 둘 곳이 없다고? 우주궤도에 올리자. 중앙일보. (2025, March 16). https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25321027
우주에서 데이터센터 운영? “기술·경제·환경적으로 충분히 실행 가능” | 그리니엄. (n.d.). https://greenium.kr/news/34212/
AI시대 비용 많이 드는 데이터센터, 우주에 구축. (2025, April 11). https://m.dongascience.com/news.php?idx=71076
[주말N수학] 우주공간에 데이터센터를...우주컴퓨팅 가능성 타진한다. (2023, September 15). https://m.dongascience.com/news.php?idx=61659
최지원 (2025, August 17). 구글 제미나이, 우주 데이터센터 가동...지상의 5% 비용. 동아일보. https://www.donga.com/news/It/article/all/20250817/132197522/1
[재미있는 과학] ai 사용으로 전력량 폭증... 우주에도 데이터센터 짓는대요. [재미있는 과학] AI 사용으로 전력량 폭증... 우주에도 데이터센터 짓는대요 - 프리미엄조선. (n.d.). http://newsteacher.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2025/05/05/2025050501919.html
'Podcast' 카테고리의 다른 글
| Against Silence: Voices of Freedom (0) | 2026.02.03 |
|---|---|
| How literature expresses love (0) | 2026.02.03 |
| Does language shape thoughts?: A study based on the Sapir-Whorf theory (0) | 2026.02.03 |
| AI Watermarks: Can We Trust What We See? (0) | 2026.02.03 |
