Google executive: Space data center could cost 100 times as much as one on Earth

    Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s head of data center energy, said building a data center in space could cost 100 times as much as building one on Earth. In her view, companies should first explore every terrestrial option. The statement came as Google was testing artificial intelligence chips in orbit.    The first prototype from Project Suncatcher, developed with Planet, was launched into orbit on October 1 on a SpaceX mission. The Gemma 4 model aboard the satellite wrote a short haiku about space using a specialized chip called a TPU. The result was sent to Earth over Norway’s Svalbard region. A TPU is a chip designed for artificial intelligence computations. Google calls this the first artificial intelligence response produced in orbit by the powerful TPU used in its data centers.    The test is still on a very small scale. The satellite has 4 TPUs, while its solar panels generate about 1 kW of power. Because power is limited, only 1 chip operates during each session, which lasts about 20 minutes. A 1 GW artificial intelligence center built on Earth consumes about 1 million times as much power. Project lead Travis Beals does not expect computing in orbit to become cheaper than terrestrial solutions within the next 5 years.    These calculations have raised questions about how cost-effective SpaceX’s plans for data processing in orbit will be. The company told investors that the new computing capacity would pay for itself in less than 1 year at current rental rates. If construction costs increase 100 times and rental rates remain unchanged, that period could reach 100 years. If costs increase 10 times, recouping the investment could take about 10 years. SpaceX has sought permission to launch up to 1 million data center satellites into orbit.    According to Corio, there is no electricity shortage in the US. The main problem is obtaining construction permits and conducting the studies required to connect facilities to the power grid. Google is paying the costs of power grid upgrades in advance in at least 10 states. These payments cover periods ranging from 15 to 20 years. The company also provides restoration guarantees and has stopped using confidentiality agreements with local authorities. Nevertheless, 75 data center projects were delayed or halted in the first quarter of 2026. The projects had a total value of $130 billion (about AZN 221 billion). Major companies such as Oracle have also faced opposition from local residents.    Going into orbit does not fully solve the permitting problem either. SpaceX’s plan for 1 million satellites must be approved by the US Federal Communications Commission. The same agency must also approve Blue Origin’s Project Sunrise, which includes 51,600 satellites. Objections related to space debris and radio-frequency allocation could prolong the process. Until a larger system is built and actual costs are disclosed, it is difficult to calculate the exact cost difference between space and Earth. The difference could be 3 or 10 times. Whether it will reach 100 times also remains unknown.