Skip to content
WIRED·

🚀Google, SpaceX Join Forces for Space Data Centers

Space-based solar power could power your next cloud instance

TL;DR

Google and SpaceX are partnering to launch space-based data centers, with Star Catcher providing power via lasers. This could revolutionize cloud infrastructure by enabling more powerful, energy-efficient satellites.

Google and SpaceX are teaming up to launch space-based data centers, with Star Catcher providing the power. Star Catcher's system uses concentrated sunlight and lasers to beam energy to satellites, promising more uptime and profit. The company's prototype system is set to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket, aiming to deliver up to 10 times more power than diffuse sunlight. This could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of running data centers in space, making them more economically viable.

Google, SpaceX Join Forces for Space Data Centers — WIRED

Key Points

1

Google and SpaceX plan to launch space-based data centers, with Star Catcher providing power via lasers.

2

Star Catcher's system can deliver up to 10 times more power than diffuse sunlight, promising more uptime and profit for satellite operators.

3

The company's prototype system is set to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket, aiming to set a record for beaming power on the ground.

4

Star Catcher has secured a $65 million funding round and a $30 million award from the US Space Force.

5

The system promises to enable more powerful and energy-efficient satellites, reducing the cost and complexity of space-based infrastructure.

Why It Matters

If you're running cloud services, the potential for space-based data centers could change your cost and performance models. Star Catcher's technology promises more uptime and profit for satellite operators, making space-based infrastructure more economically viable. For example, Google's first space-based data center is launching on the same SpaceX mission as Star Catcher's system, indicating a shift in cloud infrastructure.

googlespacexstar-catcherspace-data-centerssolar-power

Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation...

Be the first to comment

Enjoyed this article?

Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.

Also get