Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Orbital edge computing is becoming a reality, and training AI in space may be the next big thing. This video explores space-based data centers, highlighting the achievements and ambitions of pioneers including Axiom Space, Kepler, Starcloud and Lonestar.
References for each segment of the video are as follows:
(If you want just one reference, read the Starcloud white paper: starcloudinc.github.io/wp.pdf )
INTRODUCTION:
Starcloud website: starcloud.com
Axiom space websites: axiomspace.com
Space X Starship: spacex.com/vehicles/starship
Kepler website: https://kepler.space/
Research and Markets orbital data center report: researchandmarkets.com/reports/6056946/in-orbit-data-centers-market-global-regional
WHY BUILD DATA CENTERS IN SPACE?:
EPRI (2024) “Powering Intelligence: Analyzing Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Energy Consumption”: epri.com/research/products/000000003002028905
Thales Alena Space (2024) ASCEND feasibility study on space data centers: thalesaleniaspace.com/en/press-releases/thales-alenia-space-reveals-results-ascend-feasibility-study-space-data-centers-0
ORBITAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
SpaceX Falcon 9: spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9
SpaceX Starship: spacex.com/vehicles/starship
Next Big Future -- reducing costs of access to space: nextbigfuture.com/2024/01/how-will-spacex-bring-the-cost-to-space-down-to-10-per-kilogram-from-over-1000-per-kilogram.html
Starlink technology: starlink.com/gb/technology
Starlink laser interlinks: hackaday.com/2024/02/05/starlinks-inter-satellite-laser-links-are-setting-new-record-with-42-million-gb-per-day
Amazon Project Kuiper: aboutamazon.com/what-we-do/devices-services/project-kuiper
First Kuiper satellite launch: ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-kuiper-1
Skyloom website : skyloom.co/technology
Kepler Network: https://kepler.space/about/
Kepler On-Orbit Compute capacity announcement: https://kepler.space/kepler-announces-on-orbit-compute-capacity-on-optical-data-relay-network/
AXIOM SPACE:
Axiom AWS snowcone collaboration: axiomspace.com/news/snowcone
AWS snowcone on ISS: aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/how-we-sent-an-aws-snowcone-into-orbit
Axiom orbital data center nodes announcement: axiomspace.com/release/axiom-space-to-launch-orbital-data-center-nodes-to-support-national-security-commercial-international-customers
Azion (space) station: axiomspace.com/axiom-station
STARCLOUD:
Starcloud website: starcloud.com
Starcloud white paper: starcloudinc.github.io/wp.pdf
LONESTAR (& OTHERS):
Orbitsedge website: orbitsedge.com
Skyloom website: skyloom.co
Blue Oriion Blue Ring: blueorigin.com/blue-ring
Lonestar website: lonestarlunar.com
Lonestar LM-1 lunar landing: lonestarlunar.com/press-release/lonestar-lands-on-the-moon
Lonestar Freedom tests en route to the Moon: prnewswire.com/news-releases/lunar-data-center-achieves-first-success-en-route-to-the-moon-302392544.html
IM-2 on its side: spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-touches-down-status-unclear
ENDING:
Mark Zuckerberg on AI energy constraints: datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/metas-mark-zuckerberg-says-energy-constraints-are-holding-back-ai-data-center-buildout
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers
And more videos on film and other making, plus retro tech, can be found on my Christopher Barnatt channel: youtube.com/@ChristopherBarnatt
Chapters:
00:00 Titles & Intro
01:01 Why Off-Planet?
04:59 Orbital Infrastructure
07:35 Axiom Space
08:57 Starcloud
11:22 Lonestar (& others)
13:51 Wrap
#Space #Datacenter #Starcloud #Axiom #Lonestar #Starlink #Kepler #ExplainingComputers
Orbital edge computing is becoming a reality, and training AI in space may be the next big thing. This video explores space-based data centers, highlighting the achievements and ambitions of pioneers including Axiom Space, Kepler, Starcloud and Lonestar.
References for each segment of the video are as follows:
(If you want just one reference, read the Starcloud white paper: starcloudinc.github.io/wp.pdf )
INTRODUCTION:
Starcloud website: starcloud.com
Axiom space websites: axiomspace.com
Space X Starship: spacex.com/vehicles/starship
Kepler website: https://kepler.space/
Research and Markets orbital data center report: researchandmarkets.com/reports/6056946/in-orbit-data-centers-market-global-regional
WHY BUILD DATA CENTERS IN SPACE?:
EPRI (2024) “Powering Intelligence: Analyzing Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Energy Consumption”: epri.com/research/products/000000003002028905
Thales Alena Space (2024) ASCEND feasibility study on space data centers: thalesaleniaspace.com/en/press-releases/thales-alenia-space-reveals-results-ascend-feasibility-study-space-data-centers-0
ORBITAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
SpaceX Falcon 9: spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9
SpaceX Starship: spacex.com/vehicles/starship
Next Big Future -- reducing costs of access to space: nextbigfuture.com/2024/01/how-will-spacex-bring-the-cost-to-space-down-to-10-per-kilogram-from-over-1000-per-kilogram.html
Starlink technology: starlink.com/gb/technology
Starlink laser interlinks: hackaday.com/2024/02/05/starlinks-inter-satellite-laser-links-are-setting-new-record-with-42-million-gb-per-day
Amazon Project Kuiper: aboutamazon.com/what-we-do/devices-services/project-kuiper
First Kuiper satellite launch: ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-kuiper-1
Skyloom website : skyloom.co/technology
Kepler Network: https://kepler.space/about/
Kepler On-Orbit Compute capacity announcement: https://kepler.space/kepler-announces-on-orbit-compute-capacity-on-optical-data-relay-network/
AXIOM SPACE:
Axiom AWS snowcone collaboration: axiomspace.com/news/snowcone
AWS snowcone on ISS: aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/how-we-sent-an-aws-snowcone-into-orbit
Axiom orbital data center nodes announcement: axiomspace.com/release/axiom-space-to-launch-orbital-data-center-nodes-to-support-national-security-commercial-international-customers
Azion (space) station: axiomspace.com/axiom-station
STARCLOUD:
Starcloud website: starcloud.com
Starcloud white paper: starcloudinc.github.io/wp.pdf
LONESTAR (& OTHERS):
Orbitsedge website: orbitsedge.com
Skyloom website: skyloom.co
Blue Oriion Blue Ring: blueorigin.com/blue-ring
Lonestar website: lonestarlunar.com
Lonestar LM-1 lunar landing: lonestarlunar.com/press-release/lonestar-lands-on-the-moon
Lonestar Freedom tests en route to the Moon: prnewswire.com/news-releases/lunar-data-center-achieves-first-success-en-route-to-the-moon-302392544.html
IM-2 on its side: spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-touches-down-status-unclear
ENDING:
Mark Zuckerberg on AI energy constraints: datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/metas-mark-zuckerberg-says-energy-constraints-are-holding-back-ai-data-center-buildout
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers
And more videos on film and other making, plus retro tech, can be found on my Christopher Barnatt channel: youtube.com/@ChristopherBarnatt
Chapters:
00:00 Titles & Intro
01:01 Why Off-Planet?
04:59 Orbital Infrastructure
07:35 Axiom Space
08:57 Starcloud
11:22 Lonestar (& others)
13:51 Wrap
#Space #Datacenter #Starcloud #Axiom #Lonestar #Starlink #Kepler #ExplainingComputers
