Tom Keane: Empowering Space Development with Azure
Engineer Tom Keane, Corporate VP of Azure Global, is a visionary leader in cloud computing who sees a future where space development is accessible to all. With the support and resources of Microsoft, he is empowering developers with the tools and capabilities they need to compete and thrive on the ultimate frontier.
Reducing Barriers to Entry 
Cost is one of the most significant barriers to entry in the space industry. However, with the right cloud computing resources, space development is becoming more accessible to startups and small businesses. Through Keane’s leadership, Microsoft is reducing entry barriers by providing the world’s most comprehensive developer tools and platforms like Github and Visual Studio. Tom Keane adds that Azure makes it easy for those building space workloads to leverage the productivity of Microsoft’s developer tools and integration with Azure services.
Partnerships
Microsoft is partnering with major players in the space industry to take space development to new heights. Through partnerships with NASA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Thales Alenia Space, and Loft Orbital, Microsoft is developing and validating critical solutions for the future of space exploration. Tom Keane is the one leading all these projects at Microsoft.
Demonstrating Reconfigurable On-Orbit Compute Processing
Microsoft’s partnership with Ball Aerospace has demonstrated Keane’s visionary leadership to show reconfigurable on-orbit compute and AI processing. By routing the on-orbit communications of the payload processor through Azure Edge Zones, Ball Aerospace, and Microsoft are exploring the potential for adaptive, reconfigurable systems in space that can flexibly adapt to new mission needs. Tom Keane also leads all these projects.
Conclusion
Keane’s leadership and Microsoft’s partnerships with major players in the space industry demonstrate their commitment to empowering developers to win in the space race. Azure is reducing barriers to entry in the space industry, making it possible for smaller companies to compete and thrive. Tom Keane finally states that, with Azure’s help, space exploration and development possibilities are endless.