Data centers, the heart of the digital world, are known for their enormous energy and water consumption. While more sustainable ways of operating are being put into practice, these don’t compare to the eco-friendly advantages of a daring new concept – data centers in space.

A recent European research project not only deemed this idea technically feasible, but also suggested that it could deliver a substantial return on investment in the future.

Take aways:

  • Energy and Water Efficiency: Space data centers would rely on solar energy, which is abundant and continuous in space, eliminating the need for water-based cooling systems. This approach addresses the substantial energy and water consumption issues faced by terrestrial data centers.
  • Scaling response to AI boom: The increasing demand for data centers, primarily driven by the rise of AI, is putting significant strain on energy resources. Therefore, data centers are investigating new technologies to decrease the energy needed to power and cool their servers. An initiative that goes beyond the ordinary is now looking towards space.
  • ASCERY study: Thales Alenia Space, a collaboration between aerospace and defense firms Thales of France and Leonardo of Italy, recently released the ASCEND (Advanced Space Cloud for European Net zero emission and Data sovereignty) study. This study evaluated the possibility of space-based data centers, and it was immediately apparent that these would not require water for cooling. “The goal is to lessen the energy demand of data centers and launch them into space to take advantage of infinite energy, that is, solar energy,” stated Damien Dumestier, project manager.
  • Future projections: The ASCEND project plans to install 13 space data center blocks, with an aggregate capacity of 10 megawatts, in 2036. Every block includes a provision for its own data center service and is launched with a single space vehicle. The ultimate aim is to roll out 1,300 blocks by 2050 to reach 1 gigawatt of capacity. The research also concluded that space-based data centers could be economically viable, potentially resulting in a return on investment of several billion euros by 2050.

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