Distributed blockchain data management in a satellite environment
AssigneeVector Launch Inc.
InventorsJohn Metzger, Shaun Coleman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for managing data storage in a satellite platform. In one implementation, a satellite platform includes a plurality of satellites, wherein a first satellite of the platform is configured to identify a request for a ledger entry for a blockchain maintained by the satellite platform and, in response to the request, distribute the ledger entry to one or more other satellites of the satellite platform, wherein the one or more other satellites comprise full nodes for the blockchain. Once distributed, the one or more other satellites each determine whether the ledger entry is verified and, when the ledger entry is verified, enters the ledger entry in a ledger for the satellite.
Claims17
A method of operating a satellite platform, the satellite platform comprising a plurality of satellites, the method comprising:
- in a first satellite of the satellite platform, identifying a request for a ledger entry for a blockchain maintained by the satellite platform, wherein the ledger entry corresponds to data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the first satellite or data obtained from a communication interface of the first satellite configured to communicate with one or more other satellites or a ground control system, and wherein the ledger entry identifies a source satellite or ground control system for the ledger entry;
- in the first satellite of the satellite platform and in response to the request, determining one or more shortest paths to distribute the ledger entry to one or more other satellites of the satellite platform, wherein the one or more other satellites comprise full nodes for the blockchain, and wherein at least one of the one or more shortest paths traverse at least one satellite of the satellite platform that does not maintain the blockchain;
- in the first satellite of the satellite platform, distributing the ledger entry to one or more other satellites of the satellite platform using the one or more shortest paths;
- and
- in each of the one or more other satellites, determining when the ledger entry is verified and, when the ledger entry is verified, entering the ledger entry in a ledger for the satellite.
A satellite platform comprising:
- a plurality of satellites;
- a first satellite in the plurality of satellites configured to:
- identify a request for a ledger entry for a blockchain maintained by the satellite platform, wherein the ledger entry corresponds to data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the first satellite or data obtained from a communication interface of the first satellite configured to communicate with one or more other satellites or a ground control system, and wherein the ledger entry identifies a source satellite or ground control system for the ledger entry;
- in response to the request, determine one or more shortest paths to distribute the ledger entry to one or more other satellites of the satellite platform, wherein the one or more other satellites comprise full nodes for the blockchain, and wherein at least one of the one or more shortest paths traverse at least one satellite of the satellite platform that does not maintain the blockchain;
- distribute the ledger entry to the one or more other satellites of the satellite platform using the one or more shortest paths;
- and
- the one or more other satellites each configured to:
- determine when the ledger entry is verified and, when the ledger entry is verified, enter the ledger entry in a ledger for the satellite.
A satellite comprising:
- one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media;
- a processing system operatively coupled to the one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media;
- and
- program instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media that, when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:
- obtain a ledger entry from another satellite in the satellite platform, wherein the ledger entry corresponds to a blockchain implemented by an application executing on the satellite and one or more other satellites, and wherein the ledger entry corresponds to data obtained from at least one sensor or data obtained from communication interface on the other satellite, and wherein the ledger entry identifies a source satellite or ground control system for the ledger entry;
- determine whether the ledger entry is verified;
- enter the ledger entry in a ledger for the distributed application on the satellite;
- identify a second request for a second ledger entry for the blockchain;
- in response to the second request, determine one or more shortest paths to distribute the ledger entry to the one or more other satellites, wherein at least one of the one or more shortest paths traverse at least one satellite in the satellite platform that does not implement the application;
- and
- distribute the second ledger entry to the one or more other satellites.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.