Musk Vows to Put Data Centers in Space and Run Them on Solar Power, but Experts Have Their Doubts

Elon Musk has unveiled an ambitious plan to build solar‑powered data centers in Earth orbit to support artificial intelligence computing and reduce pressure on terrestrial power grids — but scientists and industry experts warn that formidable technical, financial and environmental hurdles could slow or undermine the vision.

By Sarah Mitchell – Senior News Correspondent

Last Updated: Feb. 3, 2026

Ambitious Orbital Vision Fueled by Solar Power

Musk says SpaceX — combined with his AI venture — plans to launch as many as one million satellites acting as solar‑powered data centers in orbit, providing computing capacity without burdening Earth’s grids or natural resources. He envisions space‑based AI infrastructure as ‘‘the only way to scale’’ and a source of continuous solar energy, as it is always sunny outside Earth’s atmosphere. Musk is preparing a major public offering of the combined company to help finance the effort. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Heat Management Poses a Major Technical Barrier

Even though space is cold, the vacuum traps heat produced by chips — much like a thermos keeps liquids warm — because there’s no air to carry heat away. Experts say uncooled chips in orbit could overheat and fail faster than those on Earth. One proposed solution involves building massive radiator panels to radiate heat as infrared light, but this would require arrays of huge, delicate structures never before built at the scale needed for data centers. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Orbital Hazards and Space Debris Concerns

Another key challenge is space debris. SpaceX’s Starlink network already operates about 10,000 satellites, and Musk’s plan would greatly expand that number. A single malfunctioning satellite can create fragments that increase the risk of collisions at orbital speeds of roughly 17,500 mph. Former NASA engineers warn that a tipping point could be reached where collisions become far more likely, threatening other satellites and critical infrastructure. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Maintenance and Longevity Questions

Satellites are subject to high‑energy radiation and wear over time, and there is no way to send technicians into orbit to replace damaged chips or hardware. Industry experts point out that GPUs and other components can be easily damaged and need replacement, and making orbital repairs would require expensive workarounds, such as overprovisioning extra chips — an expensive and inefficient solution. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Emerging Competition and Broad Skepticism

Musk isn’t alone in exploring space‑based computing. Companies such as Starcloud, Google’s Project Suncatcher and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are also investigating orbital data centers or related technologies. However, skeptics — including leaders in the cloud computing industry — argue that the idea remains ‘‘pretty far’’ from practical reality due to the enormous technical, fiscal and logistical hurdles. Still, Musk’s lower internal launch costs could give SpaceX a competitive edge in this emerging space race. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}