{"id":52552,"date":"2026-04-27T09:00:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T07:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sqorus.com\/?p=52552"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:27:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:27:24","slug":"datacenters-orbit-sustainable-solution-or-ecological-mirage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sqorus.com\/en\/datacenters-orbit-sustainable-solution-or-ecological-mirage\/","title":{"rendered":"Datacenters in orbit: sustainable solution or ecological mirage?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row module_class=”enbref” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||5%||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”enbref-content” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”||12%||false|false” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

In brief<\/strong><\/p>\n

What if our data ended up orbiting the Earth? Between SpaceX’s ambitions, Google’s projects and the European ASCEND study, the race for space data centers is on. Unlimited solar energy, zero cooling water, freedom from terrestrial constraints… the promise is seductive. <\/p>\n

But the environmental balance sheet is far more nuanced. So, sustainable revolution or technological mirage? We take stock. <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”||5%||false|false” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]The digital sector now accounts for twice as much of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as aviation. Faced with the explosion in computing power requirements linked to AI, a question is emerging: where will we host our digital infrastructures tomorrow to reconcile performance and environmental responsibility?[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Lifecycle comparison between a terrestrial and an orbital datacenter<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]Let’s imagine 2035. The Earth’s surface is dotted with ever denser hyperscalers, while low orbit resembles a ring road saturated at rush hour. Vast black surfaces dissipate heat from space heaters; in the sun, fields of solar panels deploy continuous energy. <\/p>\n

The idea is fascinating. Move some of our computing power into space to escape terrestrial limitations: carbon-intensive electricity mix, water consumption for cooling, scarce land, taking advantage of an “always-on” sun. But between the promise and the physical, environmental and industrial reality, the gap remains considerable.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”#f7fbff” custom_margin=”||12%||false|false” custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%|true|true” border_radii=”on|23px|23px|23px|23px” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

For companies committed to digital responsibility<\/strong><\/a> understanding this debate beyond the media buzz is essential. That’s the aim of this article, which compares the life cycle of terrestrial and orbital data centers.<\/p>\n

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Why dreams are made of orbit<\/h3>\n

Computing demand soars with AI. The International Energy Agency<\/strong> (IEA) estimates that electricity consumed by datacenters could exceed 1,000 TWh as early as 2026, equivalent to Japan’s annual consumption, under the combined effect of AI and cryptos ( IEA, 2026″; DatacenterDynamics, Jan. 26. 2024). <\/em><\/p>\n

On Earth, the cooling of large campuses can swallow up several million gallons of water a day during heat peaks, which is already fuelling local tensions and usage conflicts (TIME, 2026)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The promise of space<\/h3>\n

It is against this backdrop that SpaceX\/xAI argue that low-Earth orbit would enable computing clusters to be powered by near-continuous solar energy<\/strong>, while doing away with the need for cooling water. Elon Musk is even talking about a constellation of up to a million “satellite-datacenters”<\/strong> in the medium term. <\/p>\n

Europe, for its part, has conducted ASCEND<\/strong> (Advanced Space Cloud for European Net zero emission and Data sovereignty), a technical, economic and environmental feasibility study coordinated by Thales Alenia Space.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, the concept could become viable, provided we innovate on launchers and in-orbit assembly.<\/p>\n

How can you make an honest comparison?<\/h3>\n

To avoid “cosmic greening”, the comparison must cover the entire life cycle:<\/p>\n

1. Server and infrastructure manufacturing<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Transport and launches<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Operations (energy, cooling, network, maintenance)<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. End-of-life (e-waste vs. de-orbiting and debris)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the framework adopted by ASCEND<\/strong>, complemented by scientific work<\/a> on orbital thermics and launcher emissions.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” inline_fonts=”Roboto” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

From manufacturing to operation<\/h2>\n

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Manufacturing and construction<\/h3>\n

A terrestrial datacenter requires concrete, metals, cooling units and kilometers of fiber; it’s heavy on materials, but well controlled industrially, with mitigation levers (low-carbon localization, heat recovery, eco-design<\/a>).<\/p>\n

An orbital datacenter, on the other hand, requires additional weight<\/strong>, which is very penalizing&nbsp:<\/p>\n