This month, Moscow raised the stakes. President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile had entered full production and would soon be deployed in Belarus. That might sound like just another defense update. 

It’s not.

The Oreshnik belongs to a new class of weapons that move faster and more unpredictably than anything traditional early-warning systems were ever designed to handle, evading detection and shrinking reaction times, and thus posing grave new challenges to Europe and beyond. 

So, what’s the answer? 

It starts with rethinking how we gather and process data. Instead of waiting for satellite info to be sent back to Earth for analysis, a delay that wastes precious seconds, we need smarter, AI-powered data centers in orbit that analyze sensor data instantly, cut response times, and coordinate defense actions on the spot. These centers should also be modular to adapt quickly as threats evolve, while working together in networks to stay resilient, even if some nodes fail.

Yet while Oreshnik might be the wake-up call we needed, the benefits also go well beyond defense. 

Take supersonic commercial flights, for example, which are making a comeback. Earlier this year, in fact, a Denver-based company called Boom Supersonic broke the sound barrier with its XB-1 demonstrator; the first piloted, non-military supersonic aircraft since the Concorde retired in 2003. AI-powered orbital systems can help here too; tracking fast-moving planes more accurately than traditional radar, especially over oceans and remote areas with spotty coverage.

But it doesn’t stop there. 

Faster in-orbit data processing is also poised to revolutionize how we monitor the environment and respond to disasters. Imagine spotting wildfires or floods in real time and getting help to those in need far sooner. Plus, as space gets busier, these AI-driven centers can track hazards, like debris, and manage satellite traffic to avoid collisions and protect critical infrastructure.

In this modern era, working from orbit now seems like a no-brainer. And innovations like Sophia Space Tiles can help us tackle such emerging threats like the Oreshnik missile while making everyday life safer and smoother – provided we make it a priority.