bmks270 said:

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TexAgs91 said:

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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.

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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.

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Once cost/lb gets to a certain point, datacenters in space will become super obvious.

Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Wait, wut???

You DO realize space is cold, right? It's an AWESOME heatsink...

Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Space is cold

Common misconception, but a big one.

If it can possibly done, Elon is the guy. Most of the realities we see with Elon were dreams in his head.

What's the end of life solution when a data center no longer can maintain orbit and comes crashing down ala Space Lab?

Ag with kids said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Wait, wut???

You DO realize space is cold, right? It's an AWESOME heatsink...

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Mass.

You need mass to radiate.

Getting the necessary mass to orbit is an AWESOME moneysink...

Elon has built a launching process that finally makes it remotely feasible. Even still, there's a reason why he talks about mass launchers on Luna. Moon-built radiators could be the future, if the future holds massive amounts of orbital dcs.

This site has gotten weeks to months behind actual news

Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Isn't space like super cold? In the movies when people get sucked out of the airlock, they instantly turn into ice. Seems like cooling will be very easy in space

Kenneth_2003 said:

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pfo said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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

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You're dealing with thermal radiation vs convection and conduction. It's not that simple.

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Big Ass Fans. Invest now - probably need to two perfectly aligned to prevent pushing data center to mars but I'm
Betting that Elon will figure it out
https://bigassfans.com/

Thx, I watched some of that and I just am not smart enough to have an informed opinion as to whether this will work or not. Really smart guys/gals seem to have a difference of opinion but I wouldn't bet against Xai/SpaceX on this, personally.

Noted above is that Anthropic is paying SpaceX for computing capacity, but I'd note it is a mind blowing figure; $43 million per DAY. I'm also not an accountant, but these figures just make no sense to my little brain.

SpaceX in IPO filing: "We believe we have identified the largest actionable total addressable market in human history. We estimate that our quantifiable TAM is $28.5 trillion, consisting of $370 billion in Space from space-enabled solutions; $1.6 trillion in Connectivity across… https://t.co/CBTpfJECik pic.twitter.com/yh54mKFlQE

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 20, 2026

Ag with kids said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Wait, wut???

You DO realize space is cold, right? It's an AWESOME heatsink...

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If the vacuum of space is cold, then why does my vacuum insulated thermos bottle keep my coffee so warm?

TexAgs91 said:

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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.

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Yes.

Did some looking... for a data center you are talking hundreds of thousands of square meters of radiator area.

Between the solar panels to power it and the radiators to cool it.... seems like a dream.

Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Esteban wins the thread.

Esteban du Plantier said:

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bmks270 said:

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javajaws said:

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pfo said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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That's the orbit they'll use. They're not going out to a Lagrange point. They'll be in sun synchronous orbit (SSO).

Can't happen soon enough

Ag with kids said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Wait, wut???

You DO realize space is cold, right? It's an AWESOME heatsink...

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I love the condescending but absolutely uninformed response.

You DO realize you have no idea what you're talking about, right?

pfo said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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

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Think of a Vacuum bottle. Hot stays hot, cold stays cold (no gases or liquids to disperse the heat). As stated, radiant cooling is the solution, however the radiator will be as big as the solar panels.

Radiant cooling involves the radiation of infrared "light" directly into space (same principle as visible light). This will "cool" the radiators without the need for air circulation. (see balance of energy arguments). Normally hot water is pumped through the radiator. The radiator then emits infrared radiation, to balance the energy (return to cold). The challenge is to deploy efficient heat exchangers in outer space.

FYI near earth space is closer to 4K. At these extreme temperatures the Kelvin scale is the most accurate measurement.

https://iee.psu.edu/news/blog/using-outer-space-cooling-and-energy-earth

No expert here but I was raised by a guy who put things in orbit but isn't everyone correct. Space is a harsh environment it is extremely cold but any surfaces of a vehicle facing the sun will experience high temperatures.

Great! Now my sky is going to filled with space junk! NOT MY SKY

RangerRick9211 said:

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YouBet said:

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RangerRick9211 said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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pfo said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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While my post was in jest, I do think yours is a bit unfair. Pretty much ubiquitous in popular culture that space is cold.

The last time the vast majority of people may have even run across the facts on this was when they took Physics in high school and that assumes this was even covered. For me, that was 35 years ago. I remember jack **** from my high school Physics class other than I won the egg drop contest.

Most Aggies would not have covered this in college either unless you were in a hard science major that covered it then. And then, you would have to remember that. I graduated from A&M 30 years ago. I remember nothing from college other than a few random facts and all of the fun memories. I remember much more from graduate school which was "only" 22 years ago.

Logos Stick said:

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TexAgs91 said:

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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.

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Yes.

Did some looking... for a data center you are talking hundreds of thousands of square meters of radiator area.

Between the solar panels to power it and the radiators to cool it.... seems like a dream.

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Yes, it will be a bit large
Here's one next to a 408 ft tall starship

RangerRick9211 said:

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YouBet said:

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RangerRick9211 said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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pfo said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Vision 2020 was a mistake.

Ignorance incoming….

Is there an orbit pattern where the earth or moon always blocks the sun from the datacenter? And if it is the moon, could a satellite path be built to transmit data too/from?

Edit # just realized it needs power and the above eliminates solar as an option.

infinity ag said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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So is space very hot or very cold?

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Both. If you are being hit by the sun's rays, very hot. If facing away and shielded from the sun, very cold. However, as stated above, there is no matter - ie no atoms/molecules - to transfer heat via conduction and/or convection. Only through radiation.

For example, since there is no atmosphere to moderate temps, the surface temperature of the moon - ie the actual rocks and dust - will soar to 120 deg C when facing the sun and plummet to -130 deg C when facing away from the sun - just from radiant heat transfer.

According to the Elon video posted above, they plan on using a large radiator facing away from the sun to expel the data center heat.

joerobert_pete06 said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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Isn't space like super cold? In the movies when people get sucked out of the airlock, they instantly turn into ice. Seems like cooling will be very easy in space

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LOL

Khan never mentioned space also being hot, he only said...




...and he was genetically modified to be wicked smart.

A. G. Pennypacker said:

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infinity ag said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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So is space very hot or very cold?

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Both. If you are being hit by the sun's rays, very hot. If facing away and shielded from the sun, very cold. However, as stated above, there is no matter - ie no atoms/molecules - to transfer heat via conduction and/or convection. Only through radiation.

For example, since there is no atmosphere to moderate temps, the surface temperature of the moon - ie the actual rocks and dust - will soar to 120 deg C when facing the sun and plummet to -130 deg C when facing away from the sun - just from radiant heat transfer.

According to the Elon video posted above, they plan on using a large radiator facing away from the sun to expel the data center heat.

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The sun heats objects (including the earth) by infrared radiation (there is some heating through other radiations but they are small compared to IR).

One possible solution is to place the radiator on the back side of the solar panel, separated by space (vacuum is the best insulator). The solar panels should always face the sun (tracking).

Khan couldn't even handle three dimensional maneuvering in space, so I think we can safely disregard any other professed "knowledge" of the subject.

Garrelli 5000 said:

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Ignorance incoming….

Is there an orbit pattern where the earth or moon always blocks the sun from the datacenter? And if it is the moon, could a satellite path be built to transmit data too/from?

Edit # just realized it needs power and the above eliminates solar as an option.

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No.
The only "special" orbit you can do is SSO which is a Sun Synchronous Orbit. This is a polar orbit along the earth's terminator, so you're always on the boundary between sunrise and sunset. Essentially you're in orbit along the path of the Earth's orbit around the sun.

Any other orbital path will have you transitioning daylight and dark. Any path that kept you on "the dark side of the earth" would not actually be an orbit.

infinity ag said:

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Esteban du Plantier said:

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The problem with space is cooling stuff.

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

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So is space very hot or very cold?

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Yes.

LeonardSkinner said:

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Khan couldn't even handle three dimensional maneuvering in space, so I think we can safely disregard any other professed "knowledge" of the subject.

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I would think an ocean would be an easier environment than space. The ocean is a great heat sink, it's way easier to get however much mass you want floating around out there. Would have to make them storm proof though.

This thread

Wouldn't the corner of Parmer Lane and Toll road 130 or Highway 6 between Hearne and Bryan be a better location for a data center?