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How hard is it to build orbital data centers, actually? (arstechnica.com)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Editor’s note: … In this article, we discuss the technical challenges of building an orbital data center constellation: launching all of it, dissipating heat in space, dealing with radiation, and addressing latency issues in orbit. Read part one here.

I find the napkin math interesting, especially putting into light that given expected longevity of such satellites, 5 to 7 years, they will have to do 10 to 42 launches per day. SpaceX will need $1.5 to $10 trillions to make it happen. All of that so the slop machine doesn’t have to run into obstacles like democracy ? So it can destroy communities and the environment freely? What are we doing?

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[–] [S] 7 points 3 months ago (2 children)

There will be no repairs in space. Everything they launch is set and done and comes crashing back in the atmosphere 5 years later. They fully expect radiation and debris to render the space data center satellites unusable after 5 to 7 years (in the article). We all know that after 5 years those chips will be obsolete anyways.

This is a huge issue, the amount of mass being sent into orbit that is planned to just burn up in the atmosphere 5 years later.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    There's a difference between telecom satellites and other space stuff. Hubble launched in 1990 and it's not only still in space, it's still working.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 3 months ago

    Oh yeah ofc. The Hubble upgrades and repairs are a good example to show how good planning, good technology and will can ensure long standing missions delivering incredible science.

    The planning for these mega constellation is different for sure and the goal is money, not science, which is sad. That’s why they will burn in the atmosphere no matter what.

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