Sprawling networks of space data centers could render it virtually impossible to track data sovereignty or for humans to stargaze.
According to a new report, that is just one of the many risks that come with placing tens of thousands of AI computers launched into orbit. However, most Americans do not want data centers built near them but building them in space creates a different batch of issues.
Academic researchers warned in a report for the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum, “Companies and policymakers should proceed with great caution.”
The report further explained that if space data centers increase, becoming the most visible points of light in the sky across much of the Earth, the night sky will belong to satellites do not star.
Space data centers are solar-powered but the large number of rocket launches required to put them in orbit generates greenhouse gases and black carbon emissions. According to the Secure World Organization, SpaceX has applied for a constellation of 1 million data center satellites.
Starcloud and Blue Origin’s Project Sunrise aim to deploy 88,000 and 51,000 satellites respectively. In this connection, Quilty Space’s director of research stated that operators might be requesting licenses for more satellites than they plan to launch, “They don’t want to have to bump the number higher up later on.”
Nonetheless, researchers warned that governments and companies need to wait until the hazards and consequences are thoroughly assessed and effectively mitigated before launching space data centers into orbit.
