Elon Musk's SpaceX has applied to launch one million satellites into Earth's orbit to power artificial intelligence (AI). The application claims 'orbital data centres' are the most cost and energy-efficient way to meet the growing demand for AI computing power.
Traditionally, such centres are large warehouses full of computers. Musk's firm argues that the increasing demand for AI processing is already surpassing what can be handled on Earth.
If approved, this plan will drastically increase SpaceX's satellite presence in orbit, beyond the nearly 10,000 satellites currently part of the Starlink network, which has faced accusations of creating space congestion - a claim Musk disputes.
The proposed network could include up to one million solar-powered satellites, though no timeline has been provided for the completion of this massive undertaking. SpaceX believes it would enable computing capacities to serve billions of users worldwide and marks a step towards a more advanced civilization that can harness the Sun's full potential.
Musk's social media post reassures that the satellites will be so spread apart that they will be hard to spot from one another, emphasizing the vastness of space. Like Starlink satellites, these will operate in low-Earth orbit, specifically from 500 to 2,000 kilometers (310 to 1,242 miles) high.
SpaceX claims that these orbital data centres would be more environmentally sustainable than traditional data processing setups, which consume vast amounts of energy and resources. However, concerns about the cost of launching such hardware, the complexities involved in maintaining it, and the risks posed by space debris remain prominent among experts.
Moreover, there have been previous complaints from astronomers regarding Starlink's interference with astronomical observations. Musk maintains that his satellites are not crowding the space but ensuring innovative advancements in technology.
Traditionally, such centres are large warehouses full of computers. Musk's firm argues that the increasing demand for AI processing is already surpassing what can be handled on Earth.
If approved, this plan will drastically increase SpaceX's satellite presence in orbit, beyond the nearly 10,000 satellites currently part of the Starlink network, which has faced accusations of creating space congestion - a claim Musk disputes.
The proposed network could include up to one million solar-powered satellites, though no timeline has been provided for the completion of this massive undertaking. SpaceX believes it would enable computing capacities to serve billions of users worldwide and marks a step towards a more advanced civilization that can harness the Sun's full potential.
Musk's social media post reassures that the satellites will be so spread apart that they will be hard to spot from one another, emphasizing the vastness of space. Like Starlink satellites, these will operate in low-Earth orbit, specifically from 500 to 2,000 kilometers (310 to 1,242 miles) high.
SpaceX claims that these orbital data centres would be more environmentally sustainable than traditional data processing setups, which consume vast amounts of energy and resources. However, concerns about the cost of launching such hardware, the complexities involved in maintaining it, and the risks posed by space debris remain prominent among experts.
Moreover, there have been previous complaints from astronomers regarding Starlink's interference with astronomical observations. Musk maintains that his satellites are not crowding the space but ensuring innovative advancements in technology.
