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Deebster @programming.dev

5mo ago

Does It Make Sense To Put Data Centers In Space? Can They Really Cost Less To Operate?

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/24946971

TL;DW:
Does It Make Sense To Put Data Centers In Space?
At some point in the future, yes.
Can They Really Cost Less To Operate?
In theory, yes.
Scott expresses concerns that current startups have not adequately addressed some of the practical challenges, such as cooling.

Space & Astronomy @mander.xyz

Deebster @programming.dev

5mo ago

Data Centres... in Spaaace?

7 12

Spaceflight @sh.itjust.works

threelonmusketeers @sh.itjust.works

5mo ago

Does It Make Sense To Put Data Centers In Space? Can They Really Cost Less To Operate?

[Scott Manley] Does It Make Sense To Put Data Centers In Space? Can They Really Cost Less To Operate?

30 17

32 comments

In case you're wondering, the answer is "Definitely not."
- Betterige's Law at it again

I'm not watching a video to find this out. What are the advantages of building in space? I only see negatives. Like huge gargantuan negatives. I guess you technically save on land, but that's it.
- The data can move around the computers easier since there's no gravity
- If the entire Earth blows up, it'll be a good disaster recovery solution.
- Up there the sun always shines (assuming a convenient sun synchronous orbit), so you have access to uninterrupted solar power. That's the only advantage I can think of. You're going to need a lot of solar panels though, and even more radiators to radiate all the heat away. And a number of other disadvantages.
  
  Considering some data centers basically need a power plant to run, the amount of solar panels needed would be insane. Plus, unless you keep the data center between the planet and the sun, you still have shade.
  
  I’m not sure how that’s even an advantage, unless there is some scenario where you want the data center to continue after the end of civilization. Providing reliable power on Earth already has known solutions and much much cheaper
  I suppose you want some sort of caching proxies to make the internet somewhat useable from any bases farther out than low orbit but even then it would be much cheaper and easier to host them at those bases.
  
  So we need to reboot a server / swap a drive. Who's on call?

Cooling? Just open a door.
- Getting rid of heat in space is actually a serious challenge. You can only radiate it away, since there is no gas to allow convection.
  
  This always makes me wonder: When they say space is a frozen vacuum, it wouldn't actually feel nearly as cold as it is, right? Because there's no matter to actually take that heat away from you.
  The big issue is the pressure, and you'd balloon up like a blob fish out of its depth. But would it feel cold for the few instants you'd have?
  
  TIL
- wouldn’t do anything. you’re basically in a giant thermos, insulated by vacuum on all sides.
  
  Too advanced for me. I was just thinking it would get cold but obviously too cold.
- How to destroy space datacenter any% speedrrun

Earth's gravity well is hard to overcome. The best solution for any kind of space construction is to mine asteroids. Not much development there.

Companies like this make me wish I had the gall to sell snake oil to venture capitalists.
What a classic recipe. It's a YC company with a McKinsey CEO.

The only relevant factors I can think of are jurisdictional. You don't risk having your servers stolen by jackbooted government agents when your servers are safely beyond their physical reach.

32 comments