Lonestar Data Holdings Inc. and architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), have unveiled the Freedom Payload. Scheduled for launch to the Moon later this year aboard an Intuitive Machines lunar lander, the Freedom Payload represents the culmination of efforts to establish data centers beyond Earth’s confines.
Building upon the success of Lonestar’s Independence payload launched earlier in 2024, the Freedom Payload signals an advancement in digital infrastructure expansion. This data center will cater to a diverse array of global customers, including governments, enterprise businesses, and leading NGOs focused on various critical issues such as veteran affairs, human rights, and climate change.
Crafted through a fusion of architectural design and cutting-edge engineering, the Freedom Payload embodies both functionality and sustainability. Utilizing 3D printing, BIG has devised a structure capable of withstanding the Moon’s harsh conditions while promoting environmentally friendly practices in extraterrestrial environments.
The design of the payload serves as a tribute to the past and future of space exploration, featuring the silhouettes of NASA astronauts Charles Duke and Nicole Stott. This symbolic representation honors the legacy of the Apollo program while embracing the inclusivity and progress embodied by NASA’s Artemis program.
“Everything we do in space – off the Earth – is ultimately for the benefit of all life on Earth; and data is at the heart of it all,” said Stott, who also serves on the advisory board at Lonestar.
“By saving our data, we save our world.”