Space Data Releases National Critical Infrastructure and Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis to Support Economic Security

Space Data, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kohei Sato; hereinafter "Space Data") has released "Supply Chain Simulator," a new function of its space AI platform "SpaceBrain's" resilience domain "Geo-Resilience." This simulator uses AI to predict and assess the current status and vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and supply chains, and is available for governments, municipalities, and businesses. As the first phase, a screen has been released that allows for the prediction and assessment of the impact of disruptions, such as disasters, on supply chains, focusing on critical infrastructure like transportation networks, waterways, and power grids across the entire African continent. By selecting any section of transcontinental roads, railways, or waterways, users can instantly evaluate the shortest detour routes, the affected population, and estimated economic losses in the event of a disruption. Overlaying this with disaster risk zones such as drought, flood, and cyclones, as well as the distribution of power grids and power plants, allows for the identification of infrastructure vulnerabilities on a continental scale, crossing domains of transportation, water, power, and disaster risk. In the future, Space Data plans to advance cross-domain AI risk prediction and expand the target regions.

Background

On the African continent, while infrastructure development and investment in transportation and power are rapidly advancing due to population growth and urbanization, climate disasters such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, as well as geopolitical risks, are impacting the stable operation of essential infrastructure. Trunk roads that cross the continent and power grids that span national borders rely on limited corridors, and disruptions to even a single section can have widespread repercussions through logistics and power supply. As supply chains for critical minerals, energy, and food connect the continent to the rest of the world, the vulnerability of this infrastructure is no longer just a national or regional issue, but a matter directly linked to the global economy and economic security through supply chains. However, means to grasp the overall picture of infrastructure on a continental scale, understand the ripple effects of disruptions, and quantitatively analyze its vulnerabilities have been limited, making it difficult for non-experts to intuitively understand the structure of these risks.

Leveraging its expertise cultivated in developing digital twins that precisely replicate the Earth's environment, Space Data has developed "Supply Chain Simulator." This tool allows anyone to intuitively grasp the risk structure of such wide-area infrastructure and instantly predict and assess the impact of disruptions. The aim of this function is not only to visualize risks but also to support the formation of a common understanding among stakeholders for strengthening resilience (robustness and recovery capabilities against disasters and crises) through simulations that test "what-if" scenarios and AI-driven prediction and assessment of vulnerabilities.

Overview of the First Phase Release Screen

The screen released in the first phase is based on a 3D globe operating in a web browser, overlaying infrastructure data for the entire African continent to grasp the current situation and predict/assess disruption impacts. Modes can be switched using tabs at the top of the screen, and a portion of these is introduced here.

The screen includes a left panel showing specifications and indicators of the selected target, a bottom bar for switching viewpoints and controlling layer display, a legend, and a list of power plants (clicking moves the viewpoint to the corresponding location). The configuration is designed to allow users, even without specialized knowledge, to progressively understand continental-scale infrastructure.

Features

Lightweight Implementation Operable Solely in a Browser: Based on a 3D globe that operates solely in a web browser, infrastructure data for the entire African continent (power grids, substations, airports, train stations, roads, rivers, etc.), constructed from publicly available information, is overlaid on satellite imagery and terrain data.

Continental-Scale Current Status Grasp Based on Real Infrastructure: The system reproduces power transmission lines of 220kV and above (3,001 lines), substations (900 locations), airports (824 locations), train stations (4,101 stations), as well as major roads and rivers across the entire African continent. By superimposing this on satellite imagery and terrain data, it enables an understanding of the current status in line with actual infrastructure placement.

Prediction and Assessment of Disruption Impact Based on Network Analysis: A network graph is constructed with cities as nodes and roads/railways as edges, using actual distances. The shortest detour route in case of an arbitrary section disruption is calculated using Dijkstra's algorithm (a representative algorithm for finding the shortest path on a network). In addition to detour distance, detour rate, affected population, and estimated economic losses, it also determines the occurrence of "isolation" where no detour route exists. Detour routes are highlighted on the map.

Overlay of Power Infrastructure and Disaster Risk: Power transmission lines are drawn with varying colors and thicknesses based on voltage class (500kV and above / 220-499kV / 110-219kV / below 110kV). 500kV and above ultra-high voltage lines are emphasized with luminous display, and lines under construction or planned are distinguished by dashed lines. Power source types (hydro, coal, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal) and facility capacities can be viewed on the map. Overlaying this with disaster risk zones aids in identifying vulnerable points in power infrastructure.

Future Outlook

Space Data aims to develop "Supply Chain Simulator" beyond mere visualization for "understanding risks" into a predictive and assessment platform for "anticipating and preparing for the future." In the future, Space Data will advance cross-domain AI risk prediction that captures the ripple effects of disruptions across domains such as transportation, water, power, and disaster risk. Furthermore, functions such as impact estimation during supply chain disruptions, calculation of shortest detour routes, and assessment of affected population and economic losses will be gradually expanded as evaluation functions based on real data, through integration with power and infrastructure data released by international organizations and automation of data updates.

In addition, the target regions are planned to be sequentially expanded, starting with the African continent.

Through such functional expansions, Space Data aims to create a platform that can be utilized by government agencies, international organizations, and development financial institutions involved in disaster prevention (prevention of disasters and mitigation of damage) and infrastructure planning, as well as companies considering business development and investment in Africa, such as those in the power, logistics, construction, and insurance sectors. This platform will serve as a starting point for initial understanding of wide-area risks, consideration of priority measures, and strengthening of supply chain resilience. Space Data will continue to contribute to the construction of resilient social infrastructure capable of responding to disasters and environmental changes, and the advancement of decision-making that supports economic security, by combining continental-scale analysis and simulation technologies with AI-driven prediction technologies.

About Space Data, Inc.

Space Data, Inc. is a technology startup that creates new industries and social infrastructure by fusing space and digital technologies, driven by the vision of "a society where space can be utilized by everyone." Utilizing digital twin technology that precisely replicates the Earth and space environment, the company aims to build digital platforms that support the future, from space to urban development and disaster prevention. Furthermore, through the development of operational infrastructure for space robots and space stations, Space Data is working towards the realization of a space society.

Company Name: Space Data, Inc.

Representative: Kohei Sato

Location: 15F, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Capital: 1.513 billion yen

Business Activities: Investment and research related to space development

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