Oct 17, 2025 08:00:00

Plans to build a data center in space are close to becoming a reality

Starcloud , a startup backed by NVIDIA and others, is planning to set up a data center in space. The company plans to launch a satellite equipped with NVIDIA's AI chip, the H100, in November 2025, which will reduce energy costs to one-tenth of those on Earth.

Data Centers in Space | Starcloud – The Future of AI
https://www.starcloud.com/

How Starcloud Is Bringing Data Centers to Outer Space | NVIDIA Blog
https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/starcloud/

Starcloud is a startup with the goal of 'establishing a data center in orbit.' Data centers on Earth require large-scale cooling mechanisms that use large amounts of fresh water to cool processors, but in space, cooling is possible without water. This means that data center costs, including launch costs, can be reduced to one-tenth of those on Earth.

We are currently developing the technology to eventually install a 5GW data center in space. The power will be generated using solar panels, and the area including the solar panels will be 4km square.

At the time of writing, work is underway to launch the test satellite 'Starcloud-1' in November 2025. The photo below shows the Starcloud-1 itself, with the H100 inside the silver shield.

The device is also fitted with solar panels around the body. It is about the size of a small refrigerator and weighs approximately 60 kg.

'In 10 years' time, most new data centers will be built in space,' said Philip Johnston, co-founder and CEO of Starcloud.