Space datacenters proposed by SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and others would release staggering levels of pollution that would probably alter the Earth’s atmosphere and be “catastrophic” for the planet, space industry experts and environmental groups warn in a new petition demanding a review of their impacts.

Tech companies have collectively proposed millions of “orbital datacenters” and are pressing forward with plans, which require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. Among other issues, pollution from satellites and rockets burning up upon re-entry appears to be accumulating in the stratosphere at alarming levels. The spacecraft release black soot, rare metals, aluminum oxides and other pollutants with unknown effects.

Some scientists fear the pollution could destroy the ozone layer, potentially expose some people to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, or help further destabilize the planet during the climate crisis. The pollution could also end up back on Earth, and millions of satellites would create a major source of light pollution.

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[–] 33 points 4 days ago (3 children)

Anyone that believes that space data centers are feasible deserves to lose their money.

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  • [–] 8 points 4 days ago* (1 child)

    Seems like tilting at windmills when you realize these things are pure vaporware. Trying to calculate the ecological footprint of a pipe dream seems totally misplaced. Would make far more sense to fixate on real ones.

    If Bezos/Musk want to claim all the data centers will be in orbit in another 20 years? Let them put their money where their mouths are and stop building terrestrial data centers in the meantime.

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  • [–] 10 points 4 days ago (1 child)

    The fact that data centers are already one of the most expensive buildings to build on earth that require enough water and power for an entire city while using the most expensive cutting edge computer hardware on the planet that also requires skilled technicians 24/7.

    Yeah they can do that in space. /s

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  • [–] 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

    I guess you could say the same thing about the ISS. I just don't think anyone has ever accused it of being profitable.

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  • [–] 4 points 4 days ago

    The ISS is one of the most expensive projects in history. A single data center would make the ISS seem like a child’s toy in cost and complexity. The scale of solar panels and cooling that would be required for that is comically enormous.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 days ago (1 child)

    I'm far from a physicist, but wouldn't a space data center be a massive black box generating heat? I'm not sure the current solutions for cooling in space could match that level of heat, but please correct me if I'm wrong

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  • [–] 12 points 4 days ago

    You morons barely have a grasp on cooling data centers on Earth & you think you can do it in LEO?

    You fucking morons.

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  • [–] 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 child)

    I’m wondering what their play is. obviously they are aware this ain’t happening, given you can solve each physics and energy contradiction, paying 10.000 times more for compute is gonna have a hard time on the free market.

    but just like putting all cars in tunnels underground or the hypertube were cynical distraction strategies against public transport, this has to have an ulterior motive as well. I just have a hard time imagining what…

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  • [–] 9 points 4 days ago (1 child)

    Let's build just one as a prototype. The billionaires can tag along for the initial launch ride. And if we "accidentally" send it on a collision course with the sun, I'm sure the billionaires can figure a way out of that situation using their unparalleled genius and work ethic.

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  • [–] 5 points 4 days ago (1 child)

    Just for the sake of efficiency, it would take less delta-v to eject them out of the Solar system altogether. It only takes 13 km/sec to get from Earth orbit to Solar escape velocity, but to get to the Sun, you have to cancel out Earth's 29.7 km/sec orbital velocity.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 days ago

    Some scientists fear the pollution could destroy the ozone layer, potentially expose some people to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, or help further destabilize the planet during the climate crisis. The pollution could also end up back on Earth, and millions of satellites would create a major source of light pollution.

    Scumbag billionaires: from my climate controlled, safe zone, guarded compound I literally see 0 issue. You're just alarmists.

    FCC: profits? Profits!? Of course you can do this! Ensure proper donations arrive at the Not Donald J Trumps Personal Account before I pass this.

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  • [+] 4 points 4 days ago
    [–] 4 points 4 days ago

    You letting these people have money and make decisions is what killed everyone.

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  • [–] 3 points 4 days ago