Orbital data centers, part 1: There's no way this is economically viable, right?

"An orbital data center replicates all of that, but in space. Instead of being stored in 19-inch racks, the individual server elements would instead be built around- and attached to-a 'satellite bus.'"

"These are sprawling buildings, or even campuses of buildings, with redundant connections to the electrical grid, on-site generators, massive banks of batteries, and enormous cooling systems to handle the heat being shed by thousands upon thousands of machines operating around the clock."

Orbital data centers are designed to function like traditional data centers but in space. They consist of server elements attached to a satellite bus, which includes solar arrays for energy, thermal systems for heat management, propulsion for orbit maintenance, and high-bandwidth communication equipment. The concept has gained traction as technology advances, prompting discussions about the economic viability and technical challenges of deploying data centers in orbit. This exploration will cover financial implications, cost modeling, and competitive landscapes in future installments.

Read at Ars Technica