This project focuses on a network combining space-based data relay with edge computing.
Ten optical-relay satellites launched in January 2026. Kepler subsequently commissioned distributed computing with forty NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules and announced commercial services. The network hosts two Axiom computing nodes, which do not add spacecraft to the ten-satellite count. Axiom reported ARC-to-ARC and ARC-to-ground communications on October 6 and a separate ground PQC workload migration. Orbital PQC testing remains planned. Tranche 2 is a separate expansion.
Scope: Shared computing & storage · A shared computing or storage platform, or a program developing that infrastructure. Classification describes intended use, not operating capacity.
Figures retain their disclosed units and scope. Launched hardware does not establish demonstrated performance; targets may change. Not disclosed means no figure in the reviewed sources.
NVIDIA Jetson Orin compute modules powering distributed edge-compute nodes across Kepler Tranche 1.
Kepler verifies 40 deployed modules across ten Tranche-1 satellites. Procurement terms, contract value and the direct commercial form are undisclosed. This record is not mapped to the separately tracked Tranche-2 project.
Announced 16 Mar 2026 · Evidence checked 25 Sept 2026
Falcon 9 launch service used for the ten Tranche 1 satellites.
Delivered launch-provider role; the legal buyer, booking intermediary, award date and price are not established. Announcement date is the launch announcement.
Announced 11 Jan 2026 · Evidence checked 26 Sept 2026
Further customer deployment and service-performance disclosure; no exact next event date announced.
Manual review with evidence gaps 30 Oct 2026. Compared dated commissioning release and current Compute page. Added distributed/failover architecture and CUDA framework support. Product-page100Gbps is not assigned to Tranche1. Existing optical-link unit conflict remains. Last full profile review 15 Oct 2026. Primary body last observed 23 Oct, 09:47 UTC. Source monitoring: partial. Source collection and substantive profile review are separate checks. Plans and dates may change.
Axiom reported ARC-to-ARC and ARC-to-ground communications on the existing Kepler optical relay network. Its post-quantum encrypted workload migration was demonstrated separately on the ground. Orbital PQC demonstration remains planned without a disclosed date.
NVIDIA introduced the planned Space-1 Vera Rubin Module and described IGX Thor and Jetson Orin platforms for orbital edge computing. The company named Aetherflux, Axiom Space, Kepler Communications, Planet, Sophia Space and Starcloud as users of NVIDIA accelerated computing across orbital and ground environments; Kepler specifically said Jetson Orin is used on its satellites.
