Data centers in space

4,805 Views | 84 Replies | Last: 2 days ago by hph6203
Logos Stick
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:27p, 5/20/26
So Elon has decided to provide his competition, Anthropic, with compute power at SpaceX. This will be at the Colossus 1 Memphis data center with over 300 MW and 220,000+ Nvidia GPUs.

Now he's talking data centers in space. Is that even feasible?! It would require massive solar panels.

Btw, SpaceX is supposed to IPO next month.

Reply Quote
1
Logos Stick
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:28p, 5/20/26
Perhaps this is an FU move to Altman. He hates that guy.
Reply Quote
14
MJ20/20
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Logos Stick • 6:33p, 5/20/26
AG
Solar power?
Reply Quote
Esteban du Plantier
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:37p, 5/20/26
AG
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.
.
Reply Quote
10
TexAgs91
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 6:42p, 5/20/26
AG
I think Elon and SpaceX realize this. If they're planning on going ahead with it, it means they've figured it out. Probably using radiators.
No, I don't care what CNN or Miss NOW said this time
Ad Lunam
Reply Quote
7
An L of an Ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:13p, 5/20/26
AG
**** SKYnet! We're blasting PAST that to SPACENET!!
Reply Quote
8
TyHolden
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:17p, 5/20/26
AG
People don't realize that Elon has been time traveling for years. He's way ahead of the curve.
I hope I did not offend anybody with this post. If I did, please come see me at my address in my profile so we can talk.
Reply Quote
6
pfo
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 7:21p, 5/20/26
AG
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.
Reply Quote
72
Logos Stick
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to pfo • 7:25p, 5/20/26
There is nothing to transfer that heat though. It's "space"
Reply Quote
31
1 edit
javajaws
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to pfo • 7:26p, 5/20/26
AG
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.


Exactly - that's the whole point of doing it in space!
Reply Quote
9
Kenneth_2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to pfo • 7:26p, 5/20/26
AG
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.


You're dealing with thermal radiation vs convection and conduction. It's not that simple.
Reply Quote
30
1 edit
lb3
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Logos Stick • 7:31p, 5/20/26
AG
Logos Stick said:
Perhaps this is an FU move to Altman. He hates that guy.
xAI's Colossus 1 server farm, while not obsolete, wasn't being used to train the latest Grok models. xAI is using Colossus 2, which is much larger and has the latest silicone, to do their heavy lifting.

I
Suspect this was to help improve xAI's cash flow prior to the IPO.
Reply Quote
2
Bunk Moreland
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:36p, 5/20/26
Data centers will absolutely be in space.
Reply Quote
4
Ferg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:36p, 5/20/26
Reply Quote
20
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:47p, 5/20/26
Terafab keynote, shows scale of 100 kW mini sat at 9:37 and talks some about heat little later


https://terafab.ai/
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Pizza
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to An L of an Ag • 8:16p, 5/20/26
An L of an Ag said:
**** SKYnet! We're blasting PAST that to SPACENET!!


2027 A Space Odyssey.
Reply Quote
2
AggieVictor10
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Logos Stick • 8:18p, 5/20/26
AG
Elon the GOAT
“…What?”

- Joe Biden
Reply Quote
2
Esteban du Plantier
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to pfo • 8:25p, 5/20/26
AG
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.



A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.



.
Reply Quote
24
RangerRick9211
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 8:49p, 5/20/26
AG
Esteban du Plantier said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.

A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.

Yikes, 13 stars and counting. Not a great look for a college website, lol.

Not only does a vacuum have no temperature, there is no convection nor conduction of heat in a vacuum. That's why we have complicated water-to-ammonia radiator heat transfers for infrared on all space craft.

Folks, this thing called solar radiation, or lack there of, drives the temp of things in our space. The ISS isn't facing -455F surface temps when in the sun, I promise you. Just yikes on the stars.
Reply Quote
10
TxSquarebody
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 8:52p, 5/20/26
Didn't they have to wait for the JWST to "cool down"?
Reply Quote
YouBet
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to RangerRick9211 • 8:53p, 5/20/26
AG
RangerRick9211 said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.

A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.

Yikes, 13 stars and counting. Not a great look for a college website, lol.

Not only does a vacuum have no temperature, there is no convection nor conduction of heat in a vacuum. That's why we have complicated water-to-ammonia radiator heat transfers for infrared on all space craft.

Folks, this thing called solar radiation, or lack there of, drives the temp of things in our space. The ISS isn't facing -455F surface temps when in the sun, I promise you. Just yikes on the stars.

The "A" in Texas A&M isn't for "Astronomy".

How are we supposed to know this?

Next you will tell me that people can actually hear me scream in space.
Reply Quote
15
bmks270
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to javajaws • 8:55p, 5/20/26
AG
javajaws said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.


Exactly - that's the whole point of doing it in space!


It's way more difficult to cool in space!

They want to do it in space because there are no permits or local government regulations to block construction, and they can use solar power and not need to wait in the que for grid connection or gas turbine delivery.
Reply Quote
8
1 edit
Esteban du Plantier
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to YouBet • 8:56p, 5/20/26
AG
YouBet said:
RangerRick9211 said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.

A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.

Yikes, 13 stars and counting. Not a great look for a college website, lol.

Not only does a vacuum have no temperature, there is no convection nor conduction of heat in a vacuum. That's why we have complicated water-to-ammonia radiator heat transfers for infrared on all space craft.

Folks, this thing called solar radiation, or lack there of, drives the temp of things in our space. The ISS isn't facing -455F surface temps when in the sun, I promise you. Just yikes on the stars.

The "A" in Texas A&M isn't for "Astronomy".

How are we supposed to know this?

Next you will tell me that people can actually hear me scream in space.


Well, I don't expect everyone to know this sort of thing. But if you don't know the answer, then don't post something to get yourself featured in the Reddit 'Confidently Incorrect' forum.
.
Reply Quote
8
reineraggie09
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 8:57p, 5/20/26
AG

Reply Quote
2
Esteban du Plantier
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bmks270 • 8:59p, 5/20/26
AG
bmks270 said:
javajaws said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


And they could park it in a Lagrangian point so it's always getting solar energy. In earth orbit, it'll be dark half the time.
Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.


Exactly - that's the whole point of doing it in space!


It's way more difficult to cool in space!

They want to do it in space because there are no permits or local government regulations to block construction, and they can use solar power and not need to wait in the que for grid connection or gas turbine delivery.


And if they park it in a Lagrangian point, it'll be getting solar energy all the time. In earth orbit, it's dark much of the time unless it's a polar orbit.
.
Reply Quote
2 edits
infinity ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 8:59p, 5/20/26
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


So is space very hot or very cold?
Exposing Hypocrisy - one CEO at a time
Reply Quote
2
bmks270
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to TexAgs91 • 8:59p, 5/20/26
AG
TexAgs91 said:
I think Elon and SpaceX realize this. If they're planning on going ahead with it, it means they've figured it out. Probably using radiators.


lol. Elon starts a lot of stuff without having any of it figured out.

Starship isn't even figured out yet after 10+ launches.

As long as it doesn't violate physics, sure you can chase data centers in space. That doesn't mean SpaceX has will create something that will be more economically viable than ground based data centers.
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
infinity ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bmks270 • 9:00p, 5/20/26
bmks270 said:
javajaws said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.


Exactly - that's the whole point of doing it in space!


It's way more difficult to cool in space!

They want to do it in space because there are no permits or local government regulations to block construction, and they can use solar power and not need to wait in the que for grid connection or gas turbine delivery.


What about space H1Bs? Are those capped at 65k a year too?

Exposing Hypocrisy - one CEO at a time
Reply Quote
2
Hoyt Ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to infinity ag • 9:03p, 5/20/26
AG
infinity ag said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


So is space very hot or very cold?

This is a serious question?
Reply Quote
3
Esteban du Plantier
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to infinity ag • 9:03p, 5/20/26
AG
infinity ag said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


So is space very hot or very cold?


Neither. Space has no temperature. Matter has temperature. And matter in the sun is very very hot. Matter not being heated by the sun will eventually radiate energy until it's very near absolute zero.

But a data center is creating heat from solar energy. Cooling will be, far and away, the biggest challenge. They're already hard to cool on earth with huge water cooling systems.
.
Reply Quote
5
bmks270
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to infinity ag • 9:04p, 5/20/26
AG
infinity ag said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


So is space very hot or very cold?


It's very well insulated.
Reply Quote
7
RangerRick9211
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to YouBet • 9:26p, 5/20/26
AG
YouBet said:
RangerRick9211 said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.

A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.

Yikes, 13 stars and counting. Not a great look for a college website, lol.

Not only does a vacuum have no temperature, there is no convection nor conduction of heat in a vacuum. That's why we have complicated water-to-ammonia radiator heat transfers for infrared on all space craft.

Folks, this thing called solar radiation, or lack there of, drives the temp of things in our space. The ISS isn't facing -455F surface temps when in the sun, I promise you. Just yikes on the stars.

The "A" in Texas A&M isn't for "Astronomy".

How are we supposed to know this?

Next you will tell me that people can actually hear me scream in space.

Up to 18 19 20 22 24 stars now.

Pivoting from a physics discussion to social science experiment as we type.

Edit: Please be trolling at this point with the stars. Flat earth territory.

31 stars. Yeah. We're cooked. Jesus people.
Reply Quote
5
5 edits
one MEEN Ag
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Esteban du Plantier • 9:32p, 5/20/26
AG
Esteban du Plantier said:
pfo said:
Esteban du Plantier said:
The problem with space is cooling stuff.

Huge data center creates a lot of heat, would be a huge challenge to keep that cool.


Space is -455 degrees Fahrenheit. A huge advantage to data centers in space is the Mother Nature handles the cooling.



A vacuum doesn't have temperature. Maybe the odd atom in space is 'cold ', but a vacuum doesn't have a temperature. And there is so little matter that it does no cooling that you're imagining.

If an object is in the sun or creating it's own heat, it will be very hot. With no air, there's no temperature buffering and no way other than radiation to remove heat. Telescopes and satellites have to rely on heat shields facing the sun and materials that will radiate infrared energy facing away to try to stay cool.

A data center creates way way way more heat than a JWST.

Saying 'space is cold' like that solves it is hilarious.




Doing the math, a 100C black box would have a radiative heat loss of 1.1kW per square meter in space. 100C is about the hottest you want to run a CPU. Interesting. Thats a lot and also not a lot of cooling. A normal CPU rack the size of a refrigerator can pull 100kW easy. And in earth is usually has has a cooling 'cost' of 5-8% of its load.
Reply Quote
Troglodyte
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:45p, 5/20/26
AG
Bezos agrees.

Reply Quote
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:10p, 5/20/26
Trigger warning: math equations are shown on screen

Reply Quote
6
Last Page
Page 1 of 3 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.