A futuristic concept is gaining traction, attracting support from various quarters, including wealthy individuals and local governing bodies. However, its practicality remains a subject of debate.
The frantic construction and rental of data centers by companies are causing strain on power grids, increasing emissions, and consuming significant amounts of water. The electricity demand from AI data centers is projected to surge by up to 165 percent by 2030, with over half of the energy derived from fossil fuels, posing a threat to efforts aimed at combating climate change.
Prominent figures in artificial intelligence suggest a solution: relocating these massive computer clusters to space. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, foresees a substantial expansion of data centers as inevitable, with plans to invest trillions in the endeavor through the $500 billion Stargate project, despite potential opposition.
While the notion of launching data centers – some of which are as large as a million square feet – into space may appear impractical initially, Altman is not alone in exploring this idea. Proposals include establishing a network of data centers around the sun akin to a Dyson sphere to harness solar energy efficiently. Nevertheless, implementing such ambitious projects could deplete Earth’s resources and jeopardize its habitability.
More feasible initiatives are progressing towards realization. Startups like Starcloud, Axiom, and Lonestar Data Systems have secured substantial funding for developing space-based data centers. With over 5,400 data centers in the U.S., ranging from small-scale facilities to massive hyperscalers, the sector’s energy consumption is expected to reach 12 percent of the nation’s electricity supply by 2028.
Advocates argue that placing data centers in space could offer a comprehensive solution by utilizing continuous solar power and alleviating communities from environmental issues like pollution. Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project has explored innovative approaches, such as a lightweight solar power system capable of generating electricity cost-effectively for orbital data centers.
While the feasibility of space-based data centers remains uncertain due to technical challenges like slower data processing speeds and maintenance difficulties caused by radiation exposure, proponents envision a potential future where these facilities become viable solutions. The transition towards space-based operations is still in its experimental stages rather than full-scale implementation.
Despite the potential advantages of space-based data centers in terms of environmental impact and regulatory freedom compared to terrestrial counterparts, economic viability remains a significant hurdle. Harvard University economist Matthew Weinzierl emphasizes that cost competitiveness and service quality will be crucial factors for space-based facilities to compete effectively with conventional data centers.
As long as terrestrial options remain more cost-effective than their extraterrestrial counterparts, profit-driven companies are likely to prioritize expanding traditional data center infrastructure on Earth. Nonetheless, the lack of stringent regulations in outer space may incentivize entities like OpenAI to explore celestial opportunities before governmental oversight catches up with technological advancements.