Space data centers are a terrible idea: heat dissipation physics make it prohibitively expensive

SumitGup · x · 2026-08-28

The post argues against deploying data centers in space. Despite lower launch costs, the vacuum of space makes cooling a nightmare because convection doesn't work, leaving only inefficient infrared radiation. A 10MW orbital array would require radiator panels the size of five football fields, and the mass of the cooling system would negate the payload savings from reusable rockets.

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