Space-based data-centres engineered for orbit with new construction techniques

A specialist in-space construction firm has announced plans to build “massive data centres” in orbit, leveraging modular assembly and space logistics to address terrestrial data-centre constraints. The concept aims to capitalise on the near-continuous solar throughput and vacuum-cooling potential of low-Earth-orbit environments, enabling compute infrastructure that bypasses many land-based power and thermal limitations. 

The firm proposes constructing large structural platforms in orbit, then outfitting them with server racks, power systems, and radiative-cooling modules. Modular assembly techniques, in-space manufacturing, robotic assembly, and orbital logistics, are central to the proposed architecture. Key engineering challenges identified include heat-dissipation in vacuum (where conduction/convection cooling is absent), radiation hardening of electronics, orbital debris mitigation, and high-throughput data-links to ground infrastructure. 
By relocating compute-intensive operations, such as AI model training or large-scale cloud services, to orbit, the firm argues Earth-based infrastructure bottlenecks (cooling water availability, land-use restrictions, power-grid demand peaks) could be alleviated. The initiative marks a convergence of civil, structural and aerospace engineering domains: structural platform design for micro-gravity, thermal-control systems for vacuum, and high-capacity orbital power and communications infrastructure.

The announcement is speculative and remains early in development; no launch dates, costings or operational timelines were disclosed. Feasibility studies are still required to validate whether orbital compute platforms can match the cost, latency and reliability of terrestrial data-centres.