Could space-based data centers be the answer to Earth's energy and cooling challenges? NVIDIA's H100 GPU is leading the charge in orbit.

Could space-based data centers be the answer to Earth’s energy and cooling challenges? NVIDIA’s H100 GPU is leading the charge in orbit.

  • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
    162·
    3 days ago

    By harnessing low-cost, nonstop solar energy and avoiding land use and fossil fuels

    1. “low-cost” - Nothing about launching data centers into space is low cost

    2. “nonstop solar energy” Continuous solar energy is certainly nice, but that is a pretty minor buff compared to current ways of making power. If you think nuclear or solar+battery is expensive, go calculate the price for space-based solar per GW…

    3. “avoiding land use” - We have a fuckload of land outside of cities, build them outside of cities… Datacenter land use is removing a cup of water from the ocean.

    4. “avoiding…fossil fuels” - You can achieve that on earth, nuclear or solar+battery…

    In summary, this is probably the dumbest way to build data centers. It’s stated goals are better accomplished on land with nuclear or solar+battery. It really just feels like venture capital money trap.