The race to build data centers in space is gaining momentum as AI drives unprecedented demand for computing power. Orbital facilities could tap into abundant solar energy and avoid many of the environmental challenges faced on Earth. Yet space remains a harsh and expensive place to operate, with major hurdles including cooling, maintenance, radiation exposure, and orbital debris.
We still have issues effectively cooling satellites that run on the equivalent of a 9v battery. Data centers routinely produce too much heat to be cooled here on earth, let alone in a hostile environment with no radiative cooling.