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EU and the European Space Agency want to set up data centres in space

Since the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the demand for data centers has surged. Most data centers cannot service GenAI companies without making massive changes to their infrastructure. Moreover, the data centers that service GenAI companies consume an obscene amount of water and electricity.

This has led to Europe exploring the idea of sending data centers into space. This move aims to achieve data sovereignty and enhance energy efficiency in response to land shortages and high power demands on Earth.

A recent study has shown that launching data centers into orbit is technically, economically, and environmentally advantageous.

Damien Dumestier, who managed the study for Thales Alenia Space, reported encouraging results. These highlighted the feasibility and financial sense and reduced the carbon footprint of space-based data centers compared to their terrestrial counterparts.

The study, coordinated by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the European Commission, took 16 months and cost €2 million. The concept involves using solar energy to power these orbital data centers, significantly reducing energy consumption. However, Dumestier noted that the project is ambitious and likely won’t be ready until 2036, though the need for solutions is immediate.

Data centers, which house computer systems and vast amounts of data, are energy-intensive, requiring significant power to operate and stay calm. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2026, data centers are projected to consume about 1,000 terawatt-hours annually, equivalent to Japan’s total electricity usage.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google, known as “hyper scalers,” are the primary buyers of data center space. Kevin Restivo, a European data center researcher at CBRE, pointed out the challenges of finding available power and suitable land in most European metropolitan areas. As a result, data centers are being built in new locations, such as Microsoft’s recent land purchase in Yorkshire, northern England, where power is already secured.

While sending data centers to space seems futuristic, Restivo believes it’s a valuable area of research, similar to underwater data centers. He emphasized that pushing the boundaries of data center development is crucial for industry growth. These efforts could lead to innovative power solutions beyond the electricity grid and more autonomous data center operations.

The study also suggests that space data centers would require a new type of launcher producing ten times fewer emissions and would need to stay in orbit with rocket fuel, prompting the search for alternative solutions. Dumpster mentioned ongoing discussions with France’s Ariane Group and a German space company about developing more environmentally friendly launchers, which could be feasible in a few years.

A significant concern is ensuring that space data centers do not contribute to space debris. The proposed data centers would orbit around 1,400 kilometers, higher than many satellites. Ensuring their longevity and reusability is crucial to meeting sustainability goals.

Space data centers could give Europe data sovereignty and position it as a leader in the space sector. Dumpster sees this as a flagship deployment opportunity that could open doors for other applications and markets.

In conclusion, while the concept of space data centers is still in the research phase, it holds promise for addressing the growing demands and environmental challenges associated with traditional data centers. This innovative approach could transform the industry and significantly benefit Europe’s technological and environmental landscape.

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