Orbital, a US satellite startup, intends to deploy up to 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to create data centres in space that will deliver 10 gigawatts of computing power for AI applications, starting with its first launch planned for next year.
- Plans to launch first data centre satellite next year
- Seeks FCC approval for 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit
- Targets 10 gigawatts of AI computing power from space
What happened
Orbital, a US-based startup, announced plans to establish data centres hosted on satellites in low Earth orbit to address the increasing demand for artificial intelligence computing power. The company has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking permission to deploy 100,000 satellites positioned between 500 and 800 kilometers above the Earth. This satellite network aims to collectively deliver 10 gigawatts of computing capacity specialized for AI workloads.
The startup intends to launch its initial data centre satellite as early as next year using a shared payload arrangement. Orbital's founder and CEO, Euwyn Poon, also revealed that large-scale expansion of the satellite constellation is expected towards the end of the decade once launch costs are significantly lowered by the SpaceX-owned Starship vehicle. This strategy leverages emerging launch technologies to make affordable space infrastructure scaling feasible.
Why it matters
As artificial intelligence applications rapidly advance, the demand for high-performance computing resources continues to grow dramatically. Traditional terrestrial data centres face limitations related to space, energy consumption, and geographic constraints. Orbital's space-based data centres propose a novel approach by situating compute resources closer to satellite networks that could support global AI processing needs without reliance on ground infrastructure.
By deploying thousands of satellites with integrated data centre capabilities, Orbital aims to transform how AI workloads are managed and delivered. The initiative highlights a trend toward decentralizing data processing and leveraging space as a platform for next-generation cloud and AI services. If successful, this could also influence satellite internet operators, cloud providers, and AI companies by offering a new model for scalable, location-independent compute power.
What to watch next
Further developments hinge on the commercial availability of SpaceX’s Starship and its ability to reduce launch costs enough to make mass satellite deployment economically viable. Advances in satellite technology and AI hardware integration will also shape the project's feasibility. Market participants in AI computing, cloud infrastructure, and satellite services will be watching Orbital’s progress for signals about future industry shifts toward space-based data processing.