Given the enormous energy demands of AI, tech giants like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are seriously discussing building large-scale data centers in space, arguing that this is the only sustainable way to operate these extremely energy-intensive systems.
These ambitious statements come as Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX are pushing to reduce costs and increase the frequency of space travel. The convergence of the space race and the AI wave is ushering in a new era of investment, although many experts express concerns about the risk of an "AI bubble".
Energy pressure
The energy demands of AI are far exceeding the capacity of the Earth's current power grids. The US government has warned of the need to add a significant amount of new capacity. In fact, AI companies are having to seek temporary power sources.
Elon Musk's XAI is using gas turbines. Meanwhile, OpenAI is pushing for partnerships with governments to add a massive 100 gigawatts of power per year.
To put it into perspective, 100 gigawatts is an energy requirement far beyond the imagination of previous generations. In the movie Back to the Future , the 1.21 gigawatts needed for time travel were considered an unimaginable amount of energy, equivalent to a lightning strike. Now, 1 gigawatt seems insignificant compared to the projected needs of the AI industry.
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Amazon's data center in Ashburn, Virginia, USA. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters. |
According to tech giants, the optimal solution is to move computing operations to space, where solar energy can be harvested more efficiently. Space offers several key advantages for locating data centers.
First, solar panels in orbit or on the Moon can capture direct and continuous sunlight, completely eliminating weather-related interruptions. Second, the vacuum environment allows for a significant reduction in cooling needs. Finally, operators can avoid legal hurdles and public backlash that often slow down infrastructure development on Earth.
Although the economics of space data centers are not yet fully proven, an analysis by Phil Metzger, a research professor and former NASA scientist, predicts they could become viable within the next decade.
"I think AI servers in space are the first real business case that will lead to many others," Metzger stated.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos also expressed great confidence. “The Moon is a gift from space. The cost of building data centers in space will be cheaper than on the ground in the next few decades. Space will ultimately be one of the places that will make Earth a better place,” he declared at a technology conference.
The plan has been implemented.
Technology companies have embarked on groundbreaking projects.
Alphabet, Google's parent company, has announced Project Suncatcher , an initiative aimed at scaling up machine learning in space. Alphabet plans to launch two test satellites in early 2027 to test the hardware in orbit. CEO Sundar Pichai shared: "Like any moonshot project, it will require us to solve a lot of complex engineering challenges."
Nvidia recently partnered with the startup Starcloud to research space-based data center solutions.
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The new AI data center is part of the Stargate project by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, currently under construction in Abilene, Texas, USA. Photo: OpenAI. |
Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk is focusing on leveraging his space assets for AI power needs. He is developing new versions of the solar-powered Starlink satellites, equipped with high-speed lasers to build data centers in space.
Musk recently revealed plans to help these AI satellites achieve an annual solar power output of 100 gigawatts – equivalent to about a quarter of the average annual US solar power consumption. He emphasized the extraordinary scale of the idea: "It's crazy."
The CEO of SpaceX even came up with a bolder idea: establishing a base on the Moon capable of producing solar-powered AI satellites on-site and launching them into orbit using a mass launch system, aiming to generate 100 terawatts of electricity per year.
Source: https://znews.vn/tham-vong-xay-dung-trung-tam-du-lieu-ai-ngoai-vu-tru-post1603475.html
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