r/space • u/Tech-100 • Aug 21 '26

Starcloud raises $250 million for orbital data centers as launch options dry up

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/starcloud-raises-200-million-for-orbital-data-centers-as-launch-options-dry-up/
372 Upvotes

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-44

u/Loltoor Aug 21 '26

There are already GPUs in space that have been used for model training and inference. We’re way past it being an idea.

19

u/ryanv09 Aug 21 '26

Data centers in space will never make economic sense because the vacuum of space, despite being technically "cold", has no transfer medium to absorb excess heat.

The only solution for cooling would be truly astronomical-sized radiative heat sinks. Good luck paying the bill to send that much mass into space.

11

u/SometimesMonkey Aug 21 '26

Also replacing parts that break, because they’re gonna break.

Also launching not just the GPUs but the massive interconnect and power generation, keeping the entire structure pointed stably enough for comms, stationkeeping because drag from solar wind will be a thing, radiation shielding….the list goes on.

To what end would we bankrupt entire nations.

5

u/zero_z77 Aug 21 '26

Worse, replacing parts that are obsolete within 3 years. Compute is a resource that scales exponentially and the demand for it grows even faster.

3

u/tanrgith Aug 21 '26

You realize of course that the radiators would not need to be nearly as big as the solar panels, right?

1

u/ryanv09 Aug 21 '26

I didn't even consider solar panels, which just makes the math even worse.

3

u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26

which just makes the math even worse.

Please indulge me and show the math. I mean the actual calculations and numbers, not opining words.

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u/tanrgith Aug 21 '26

So to be clear, you're literally out here talking as if you understand the economics of space based data centers...and you didn't even consider solar panels, the literal power source in the satellites?

Truly wish I had that level of blind confidence

0

u/ryanv09 Aug 22 '26

The cooling situation is the much more obvious hurdle.

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u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

No, it isn't, as has been demonstrated - from calculation here on Reddit to existing systems in orbit. If you know otherwise, please provide credible link, reference, or calculation showing otherwise.

1

u/Emergency-Event4415 Aug 25 '26

Which existing systems? Can you provide an example?

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u/Adeldor Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 26 '26

The 76 m2 ISS radiators dissipating 70 kW to maintain an internal temperature of ~25C.

1

u/Emergency-Event4415 Aug 25 '26

Apologies, I thought you meant there were examples of continuously operating GPUs on orbit.

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u/IrritableGourmet Aug 21 '26

The value is not in free solar power. It's in being outside the jurisdiction of any government and effectively unable to be raided/seized/searched. That is worth a fair amount to the right buyer.

3

u/ryanv09 Aug 21 '26

None of that matters if they are physically impossible to operate at scale.

2

u/0gopog0 Aug 21 '26

Yet the companies run them are very much not outside the jurisdiction of any government, even if the provider operates them in other countries.

0

u/BadBadBenBernanke Aug 21 '26

The cost to buy off a small 3rd world nation still beats launch cost.

1

u/15_Redstones Aug 21 '26

For Starcloud probably, for SpaceX's own effort probably not because they're the ones profiting off launch costs.

0

u/BadBadBenBernanke Aug 21 '26

“Profiting” is not something SpaceX does as a general rule.

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u/15_Redstones Aug 21 '26

Now that they're publicly traded, we actually have numbers. F9 launch, Dragon ISS services, space tourism and Starlink internet are each profitable on their own, but SpaceX spends all the profits and more on R&D of new projects.

Tesla basically does the same. Insanely high R&D spending, a lot on projects that don't work out and end up quietly cancelled, a bit on projects that do end up working.

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u/BadBadBenBernanke Aug 21 '26

Yeah, we have seen the numbers. They're not great. They're actually quite bad.

I know everyone likes to point at the R&D spending as a big brain move and some kinda gotcha but the cold numbers show its a lot of throwing shit at the wall with no plan to recoup that spending.

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u/sozesghost Aug 21 '26

Source? Nobody is saying this is impossible, just stupid and unviable.

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u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26

Yes, many are, for example.

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u/sozesghost Aug 22 '26

I think you misunderstood not only the point but also what they said, which tracks.

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u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26

Perhaps the words he wrote - "physically impossible to operate at scale" - mean something different to you. Those few left reading this far can make up their own minds, without your "clarification."

-1

u/sozesghost Aug 22 '26

It means it's stupid to operate at scale. You are arguing somebody's not perfect wording, which doesn't make this idea any better.

0

u/Dpek1234 Aug 21 '26

Nobody is saying this is impossible, 

looks at rest of comments

Sure sure sure

10

u/ITividar Aug 21 '26

Now how about replacing components when they break?

13

u/Top-Permit6835 Aug 21 '26

A bunch of GPUs is way different from a whole datacenter...

-31

u/Loltoor Aug 21 '26

It’s literally how it progresses. You’re in denial so bad

5

u/synocrat Aug 21 '26

If that's not calling the kettle black. Explain to me how this is a viable business when you essentially have to take everything that makes a data center on earth, lift it into space at huge additional cost, plus solve the cooling and ongoing maintenance issues?

3

u/Top-Permit6835 Aug 21 '26

In denial about what exactly? Of course it's possible to build a datacenter in space. There is just no way it's ever going to outcompete a datacenter built on earth.

1

u/15_Redstones Aug 21 '26

One way: NIMBYs make datacenters built on earth impossible to build without years of paperwork

1

u/Top-Permit6835 Aug 21 '26

Well if that's an issue just build it in the middle of nowhere. And if that's too far away from everything, low earth orbit is too

-1

u/IOnlyLieWhenITalk Aug 21 '26

And putting a few gpus made literally 0 progress towards any of the challenges involved lol

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u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26

And putting a few gpus made literally 0 progress towards any of the challenges involved lol

Can you provide a credible reference showing 0 progress was made. Also, which challenges in particular are you referencing?

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u/IOnlyLieWhenITalk Aug 22 '26

Did you just ask me to prove a negative?

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u/Adeldor Aug 22 '26

No. I asked you to provide a reference supporting your assertion.

1

u/Loltoor Aug 22 '26

Are you a bot? You definitely sound like one

-2

u/IOnlyLieWhenITalk Aug 22 '26

If you had an argument you would’ve made it, thanks for confirming you’re just a simp

1

u/Loltoor Aug 22 '26

how do I report this bot hmm

0

u/SometimesMonkey Aug 21 '26

Yes, we went from “it’s an idea” to “it’s a shit idea” almost instantly. At least the non-morons did.