HORST: Holographic Orbital Return Storage Technology

Abstract: Nowadays, space science is facing increasing problems with the amount of data collected from sensors in space and its transmission back to Earth. In this paper we introduce the novel Holographic Orbital Return Storage Technology (HORST) and its potential application in space industry. The proposed solution is a payload module which stores hundreds of terabytes of data on a robust 5D holographic disk. After the end of mission (EOM), the module is detached from the satellite and lowered into the Earth's atmosphere, protected by a heatshield surface and a parachute. The recovery of the module allows the readout of big sensor data on Earth. Besides fulfilling the big demand for applications of this technology nowadays, this paper discusses several major use-cases for near-future concepts and missions. HORST will enable many possibilities for new science missions and business in space. Since there is no comparable alternative technology, the lack of competition and the increasing demand will allow HORST to become a key technology for space.