It seems there are more and more discussions of the possibilty of putting data centers in space. At first the idea seems crazy. I mean - why launch a bunch of computers into space on a rocket instead of just, you know, plugging them in here on Earth. But the more you think about it, the more sense it starts to make.
Data centers are challenging because they need physical space, energy, and cooling. It turns out that all three are easier in space! Space is naturally cooling, solar power is far more effecienty when being collected in space (and they can keep the satellites pointed at the sun 24 hours a day), and there is lots of, well, space in space.
I’m not sure that this will be the best way to operate data centers, but I love seeing new ideas being tested and innovation in the space. And a a scifi nerd, a data center in orbit just sounds cool!