Tech Moguls Are Obsessed with the Idea of Putting Data Centers in Space, But Can It Really Work?
The notion that data centers can be built in space has sparked a flurry of interest among tech moguls and investors. With artificial intelligence booming, companies are desperate to power their servers nonstop, and the idea of building them in space seems like a novel solution.
However, experts say it's not as simple as just shooting data centers into orbit. "It's nowhere near this simple," says Matthew Buckley, a theoretical physicist at Rutgers University. "Even small objects like satellites have become significantly cheaper to launch than decades past, but doing anything in space remains an extremely expensive and difficult enterprise compared to doing it on the ground."
One of the main challenges is the issue of heat. Data centers are massive energy consumers, which means they generate a tremendous amount of heat. In space, there's no air to dissipate that heat, so scientists would need to come up with creative ways to cool them down.
"We're talking about an enormous radiators system," says Ali Hajimiri, an electrical engineering professor at Caltech. "It would require 16 square kilometers of radiators, taller and wider than four Burj Khalifa skyscrapers stacked end to end."
Another issue is the cost. Launching a data center into space is a wildly expensive endeavor, and it's unclear whether the benefits would outweigh the costs.
"It's not like we're building a fusion reactor," says Philip Johnston, CEO of Starcloud, one of the companies pushing for orbital data centers. "We're just scaling up existing technology."
But others are skeptical. "Can we host a GPU in space cheaper than hosting it in a building in Oregon?" asks Andrew McCalip, a veteran aerospace engineer.
The biggest problem is that it's still vastly more expensive to put things in space than on land. And even if the engineering problems can be solved, there are other issues to consider, such as communication with Earth and the risks of space debris.
So why are tech moguls so obsessed with this idea? For one, it's a way for companies to showcase their innovative thinking and commitment to sustainability. And let's not forget the publicity benefits – after all, "AI" is the latest buzzword.
But can putting data centers in space really be a viable solution? It's unclear, but one thing is certain: it's an idea that has sparked some fascinating debate among experts and investors alike.
The notion that data centers can be built in space has sparked a flurry of interest among tech moguls and investors. With artificial intelligence booming, companies are desperate to power their servers nonstop, and the idea of building them in space seems like a novel solution.
However, experts say it's not as simple as just shooting data centers into orbit. "It's nowhere near this simple," says Matthew Buckley, a theoretical physicist at Rutgers University. "Even small objects like satellites have become significantly cheaper to launch than decades past, but doing anything in space remains an extremely expensive and difficult enterprise compared to doing it on the ground."
One of the main challenges is the issue of heat. Data centers are massive energy consumers, which means they generate a tremendous amount of heat. In space, there's no air to dissipate that heat, so scientists would need to come up with creative ways to cool them down.
"We're talking about an enormous radiators system," says Ali Hajimiri, an electrical engineering professor at Caltech. "It would require 16 square kilometers of radiators, taller and wider than four Burj Khalifa skyscrapers stacked end to end."
Another issue is the cost. Launching a data center into space is a wildly expensive endeavor, and it's unclear whether the benefits would outweigh the costs.
"It's not like we're building a fusion reactor," says Philip Johnston, CEO of Starcloud, one of the companies pushing for orbital data centers. "We're just scaling up existing technology."
But others are skeptical. "Can we host a GPU in space cheaper than hosting it in a building in Oregon?" asks Andrew McCalip, a veteran aerospace engineer.
The biggest problem is that it's still vastly more expensive to put things in space than on land. And even if the engineering problems can be solved, there are other issues to consider, such as communication with Earth and the risks of space debris.
So why are tech moguls so obsessed with this idea? For one, it's a way for companies to showcase their innovative thinking and commitment to sustainability. And let's not forget the publicity benefits – after all, "AI" is the latest buzzword.
But can putting data centers in space really be a viable solution? It's unclear, but one thing is certain: it's an idea that has sparked some fascinating debate among experts and investors alike.
I mean, come on... building data centers in space just seems like a wild goose chase to me 
. I get the whole "innovation" and "sustainability" vibe, but can we really solve all these engineering problems and make it cost-effective? 
I don't think so. And let's not forget about the heat issue - that's a major problem right there 
. Plus, space debris and communication issues... yeah, that doesn't sound like a solid plan to me 
. I'm more excited about the advancements in AI and quantum computing than trying to put servers on Mars 
.
anyway i think its cool that people are even considering it and who knows maybe one day we'll have space data centers 
... but till then, I think we should just stick to building more efficient data centers on the ground 
.
data centers r huge energy suckers & theres no air 2 dissipate the heat so ppl need 2 come up w/ creative cooling solutions ASAP. nd the cost?? its like launchin a space shuttle 4 every tiny server lol even if u solve the heat probs, its still super expensive 
.