Will Data Centers in Orbit Launch a New Phase of Sustainability?

InformationWeek explored the feasibility of space-based data centers as a sustainability solution, featuring insights from DataBank COO Joe Minarik on current terrestrial challenges. The article examined the European Commission-funded ASCEND study led by Thales Alenia Space, which found promising results for deploying data centers in Earth’s orbit using solar power and eliminating water cooling requirements entirely.

Minarik highlighted the capacity constraints facing the industry even before generative AI entered the picture. With AI’s advent, those constraints have intensified, creating two- to three-year lead times for new facility construction. The article explored how space-based data centers could address critical resource challenges including power consumption, water usage, land requirements, and environmental impact.

“Even before GenAI joined the equation, we began to have data center capacity constraints. With the advent of AI, those constraints are amplified, and we now see data center operators facing a two- to three-year lead time in building a data center.”
— Joe Minarik, COO of DataBank

The comprehensive piece examined both the technical feasibility of orbital data centers and the hurdles to overcome, including development costs, manufacturing challenges, and latency concerns. InformationWeek positioned this exploration within broader industry efforts to achieve sustainability goals while meeting explosive AI-driven infrastructure demand.

Explore the full InformationWeek analysis of space-based data center possibilities.