Google, SpaceX plan space data centres; Japan, Germany have another solution
Google and SpaceX are testing solar-powered AI computing in orbit, while researchers in Japan and Germany are developing elastocaloric cooling technology to improve data center efficiency on Earth. Both approaches aim to address the growing energy and cooling demands of modern data centers.
Why it matters
As AI demand surges, finding sustainable ways to power and cool massive data centers is becoming a critical technological and environmental challenge.
Data centers are putting increasing pressure on power grids as demand for computing continues to grow. Some companies are exploring alternatives such as solar-powered facilities while tech giants like Google and SpaceX are even planning to move data centers away from Earth. Recently, Google launched its homegrown AI chips into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of Project Suncatcher, its effort to develop solar-powered AI computing infrastructure in space. The launch marked the project's first in-orbit test, which aims to use continuously available solar power and the “infinite real estate” of orbit for AI computing.As this approach explores moving computing infrastructure off-planet, researchers in Japan and Germany are working on a way to tackle the data center cooling problem without leaving Earth.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in