Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced today that it would partner with Elon Musk's SpaceX and others to bring cloud computing to the "final frontier." The initiative, dubbed Azure Space, will use the services of a combined fleet of low-orbit spacecraft and traditional satellites to better connect the evolving space industry with the cloud. The service will target both commercial and government space agencies, providing a system of integrated, secure links connecting a variety of cloud, space, and ground capabilities. Microsoft will also provide mobile cloud data centers that can be deployed anywhere across the planet, particularly in challenging environments with little or no infrastructure, which will connect to and communicate with the partner satellites. Image source: Getty Images. SpaceX, which has gained a name for itself with the use of a reusable two-stage rocket and astronaut capsules, is working on a constellation of internet-beaming satellites called Starlink, with plans to bring internet service to virtually anywhere on Earth. The news follows Microsoft's announcement last month of the launch of Azure Orbital, a service designed to enable satellite operators to communicate with and control their satellites, as well as "gathering, transporting, and processing of geospatial data." Orbital will also enable operators to directly downlink data to their virtual network in Azure. Microsoft will compete directly with Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Web Services (AWS) Ground Station, which offers a similar suite of technology services, allowing users to communicate with, downlink, and process satellite data directly to the cloud. CEO Jeff Bezos also owns rocket company Blue Origin, which competes with SpaceX and is planning its own constellation of 3,236 satellites. Other collaborators on the Azure Space project include SES, one of the world's largest satellite operators, ground communication specialist KSAT, ground station provider Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT), and aerospace and defense specialist Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS). Partners also include mission control software provider Kubos, ground communications provider Amergint, and US Electrodynamics, which provides satellite teleport services. 10 stocks we like better than MicrosoftWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Microsoft wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of September 24, 2020 John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Danny Vena owns shares of Amazon and Microsoft. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon and Microsoft and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon, short January 2021 $115 calls on Microsoft, long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft, and short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source