Speaker
Description
Data Centers in Space
Geoff Bennett
Director, Solutions and Technology, Nokia
The race for companies to develop the next best Artificial Intelligence model means that they need to deploy processing capacity at unprecedented scale. We are already seeing the construction of multi-gigawatt scale data centers, and this creates significant challenges to find sufficient space, power and fresh water for these facilities.
In addition, the sheer scale of such data centers brings them into direct conflict with local human populations, leading to an increasing backlash against the permitting of these projects in populated areas.
Beginning with remarks by Bill Gates as far back as 2014, several technology leaders have outlined plans for massive constellations of orbiting data centers. In January this year SpaceX filed plans with the US Federal Communications Commission for up to one million “orbital data scenter” satellites. Google, with its Project Suncatcher, is suggesting that space-based data centers could be a reality as soon as 2027. And multiple startups are already raising funds to develop the building blocks of these new technologies.
But how realistic is the goal itself? What are the major hurdles in our way, and how easy is it to get over or around them? Are there some problems that are just insoluble? And how much damage are we likely to inflict on humanity as we chase this dream?
I begin with a simple question - what problems is this idea of space-based data centers trying to solve? From there I will look at the technologies we need to develop, the scale of what would have to happen, and the unavoidable consequences of filling up space in this way.
Summary
A summary of the pros and cons of space based data centers. I've put my main agenda points in the summary slide attached.
| Talk Duration | 25 Minutes Presentation (+5 Minutes Q&A) |
|---|---|
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