Mexican data center operator KIO Data Centers has entered into a strategic alliance with Lonestar Data Holdings, a firm that specializes in off-planet data storage. This partnership makes KIO the first company in Latin America to actively support storing digital information in space, aiming to create a new level of data security and sovereignty.
The collaboration will establish a hybrid system connecting KIO's ground-based facilities with Lonestar's planned data storage units in lunar orbit and eventually on the Moon's surface. This initiative is designed to safeguard critical information beyond the physical and geopolitical risks present on Earth.
Key Takeaways
- KIO Data Centers, a Mexican operator, has partnered with US-based Lonestar Data Holdings.
- The alliance aims to create a hybrid data storage system linking Earth-based centers with facilities in space.
- This makes KIO the first company in Latin America to support space-based data storage.
- Lonestar's long-term plan includes building data centers inside lunar lava tubes for natural protection.
- The partnership focuses on enhancing data security, sovereignty, and resilience.
A New Frontier for Data Security
KIO Data Centers and Lonestar Data Holdings announced their partnership on September 20, 2025, describing it as a landmark moment for information security. The goal is to protect humanity's most valuable data by storing it in an environment free from terrestrial threats.
The companies stated the initiative positions KIO as a critical infrastructure provider on the ground, responsible for securely transmitting data to Lonestar's off-world facilities. This move addresses growing concerns about data sovereignty and the physical security of digital assets.
"This alliance with Lonestar is much more than a technology agreement: it solidifies KIO DC as the organization that sets the pace for global innovation," said Octavio Camarena, CEO of KIO Data Centers. "Our data centers will be the bridge between Earth and space."
Camarena added that the project takes KIO's commitment to protecting client information to a "cosmic dimension," reinforcing its focus on security and sustainability.
The Hybrid Earth-to-Space Model
The core of the alliance is a hybrid ecosystem. KIO's terrestrial data centers will function as "digital consulates," serving as secure gateways on Earth. These will be linked to Lonestar's "digital embassies" in space, creating a distributed network for ultimate data protection.
This structure is intended to provide an unprecedented layer of redundancy and security. By placing data beyond Earth's physical boundaries, it becomes insulated from natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and other planet-side risks.
What is Data Sovereignty?
Data sovereignty is the principle that digital information is subject to the laws and governance structures within the nation where it is collected or processed. Storing data in space introduces new legal and jurisdictional questions, creating a neutral ground that could theoretically bypass terrestrial political disputes.
Chris Stott, CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings, explained the choice of partner. "We chose KIO DC for its world-class, resilient, secure, and sustainable infrastructure," he stated. Stott highlighted KIO's high availability standards and use of renewable energy as key factors in the decision.
Lonestar's Lunar Ambitions
Lonestar's strategy involves a phased approach to building its space-based infrastructure. The company's immediate plan is to set up a ground antenna to establish a secure connection with a satellite in lunar orbit. This link will enable continuous and reliable data transmission.
The long-term vision is significantly more ambitious. Lonestar aims to construct data storage facilities directly on the lunar surface. The company plans to leverage natural geological formations for added protection.
Leveraging Lunar Geology
Lonestar intends to build its future data centers inside lunar lava tubes or natural craters. These subterranean structures offer natural shielding from solar radiation, micrometeorite impacts, and extreme temperature fluctuations, creating a stable and highly secure environment for sensitive hardware.
This approach would provide a level of physical security that is impossible to replicate on Earth. Earlier this year, Lonestar successfully deployed its first data center to the Moon as part of the IM-2 mission, demonstrating the feasibility of its technology.
Company Profiles and Strategic Positioning
KIO Data Centers has a significant presence in Latin America. Founded in 2002, the company has been owned by the infrastructure investment firm I Squared Capital since 2021. Its portfolio includes 20 data centers across several countries.
- Mexico
- Panama
- Guatemala
- Colombia
- The Dominican Republic
The company's 13 core data centers provide a combined 26 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity. KIO has streamlined its operations in recent years, selling its two U.S. facilities to Zayo in 2017 and its Spanish unit to El Corte Inglés in 2024. This new space venture marks a strategic pivot towards next-generation data solutions.
Lonestar Data Holdings is focused exclusively on developing data storage and disaster recovery services in space. Its partnership with KIO provides the critical ground infrastructure needed to connect its off-world assets with clients on Earth, establishing a complete end-to-end service.
