AI Data Centres Go Orbital

What happened

Google's Project Suncatcher introduced a plan to deploy constellations of solar-powered satellites, equipped with powerful processors, into Earth orbit. These orbital data centres will utilise optical links for data transmission, leveraging space for unlimited, low-cost renewable energy and efficient cooling. This initiative aims to test the feasibility of operating advanced chips in a harsh space environment, with projected running costs potentially becoming competitive with terrestrial facilities within ten years. Challenges include high launch expenses and increased satellite congestion.

Why it matters

The introduction of orbital data centres creates a significant visibility gap for infrastructure operations and IT security teams, increasing exposure to managing assets in an inaccessible and harsh environment. This necessitates heightened due diligence for hardware resilience, remote operational protocols, and data transmission via optical links. Procurement faces new dependencies on specialised space launch services and hardware, while compliance and risk management must address novel regulatory frameworks concerning orbital congestion and the environmental impact of launches.