Have you ever considered floating data centers in space? This may seem like fiction, but it's going to be a thing. According to the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), Europe has to do something sooner than later to put together a plan to put data centers into orbit. If not, they will lose the race to the United States or China.
They are already trying this approach in the big tech world. Imbedded in Mr. Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technology Corp is the concept of orbiting data centers fully capable to support AI. NASA has started to try AI projects on the International Space Station.
China has begun to launch satellites into orbit for its Three-Body Computing Constellation to do heavy-duty AI in outer space.
However, creating large scale space data centers is difficult. The power of the data center comes from long solar panels, and removing heat comes from massive radiators. Launching things into space, managing heat, and integrating all the parts in orbit are still major hurdles.
Why Space-Based Data Centers Are Important
Why would we want to put data centers into space? Because AI and modern computers use a lot of power, and if you do a lot of the processing in outer space, they wouldn't have to worry about sending large amounts of data back and forth from space, which will mean it will be faster and probably more secure.They are already trying this approach in the big tech world. Imbedded in Mr. Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technology Corp is the concept of orbiting data centers fully capable to support AI. NASA has started to try AI projects on the International Space Station.
China has begun to launch satellites into orbit for its Three-Body Computing Constellation to do heavy-duty AI in outer space.
Investment in Space Computing
Over the last five years, about €70 million ($81 million) was invested in projects related to space-based data centers and computing. New-venture, start-up companies like Starcloud and Lonestar are getting into space with small satellites equipped with processors capable of running AI models.However, creating large scale space data centers is difficult. The power of the data center comes from long solar panels, and removing heat comes from massive radiators. Launching things into space, managing heat, and integrating all the parts in orbit are still major hurdles.
Current Situation in Europe
Europe is starting to move forward with a few small projects, such as ESA's PhiSat AI missions and EU funded studies. The U.S. and China are starting to move faster, and ESPI has raised alarm bells that Europe might have to rely on the space computing in other countries, rather than building homegrown space computing.What the ESPI Recommended
To catch-up, it is recommend by the think tank that:- Establish a European space-based data centre program under Horizon Europe 2028-2034 Moonshot Projects.
- Use the ESA programs GSTP and ARTES to test and adapt the technologies.
- Have a plan, that demonstrates a path from research to commercial space-based computing in steps.