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[return to "Datacenters in space aren't going to work"]
1. mbesto+Wo1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 02:27:36
>>mindra+(OP)
Datacenters in space is about circumventing nation states masked as ambitions to generate more power.

Follow the rationale:

1. Nation states ultimately control three key infrastructure pieces required to run data centers (a) land (protected by sovereign armed forces) (b) internet / internet infra (c) electricity. If crypto ever became a legitimate threat, nation states could simply seize any one of or all these three and basically negate any use of crypto.

2. So, if you have data centers that no longer rely on power derived from a nation state, land controller by a nation state or connectivity provided by the nation state's cabling infra, then you can always access your currency and assets.

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2. zie+ap1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 02:29:51
>>mbesto+Wo1
Except the people that run and manage that satellite will be on earth, under some nation state's rules...
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3. Punchy+Zq1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 02:49:18
>>zie+ap1
corporations will use their knowledge in tax dodging to avoid that too.
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4. Madnes+vs1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 03:05:08
>>Punchy+Zq1
If they're already well versed in dodging fiscal rules, why do they need a space computer?
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5. suriya+zt1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 03:16:48
>>Madnes+vs1
Physical location is difficult to dodge unfortunately.

Fiscal rules are sort of man made.

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6. mandev+tA1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 04:26:23
>>suriya+zt1
The Outer Space Treaty is very very clear: anything launched into space is the responsibility of the country that launched it. Even if a private company payts for it and operates it, it's still the responsibility of the launching nation. Even if you launch from international waters, your operating company is still registered to a specific country, and the company is made up of citizens of one or more countries, and it is those countries which are responsible for the satellites. Those countries, in fact, have the responsibility to make sure that their citizens follow their laws and regulations. Unless you and your entire team are self-sustaining on that datacenter in outer space (maybe possible a century from now? Maybe not possible ever), you will be hunted down by the proper authorities and held to account for your actions. There is no magic "space is beyond the law" rules; it is just as illegal- and you are just as vulnerable to being arrested- for work done on a datacenter in space as work done on a datacenter on the ground.
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7. NoMore+0W1[view] [source] 2025-11-30 09:05:10
>>mandev+tA1
Spy satellites maneuver so that no one can tell who launched them, or when. If these satellites can do the same, good luck pinning responsibility on someone on the ground. Hell, with Musk's low orbit network, he could probably even provide connectivity to them in a plausibly-deniable manner.
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8. mandev+XY3[view] [source] 2025-12-01 02:41:39
>>NoMore+0W1
No, this is not true. First of all, every nation is required by space law to publish the initial orbits of every object they launch, as part of that taking responsibility I mentioned earlier.

The US Government further publishes tracking on pretty much every single thing in orbit of the earth larger than a few centimeters, to help satellite operators avoid space debris. They do obfuscate the current orbit of their own spy satellites (only publishing their initial orbit), but other countries and even private citizens around the world keep obsessive tabs on these things (e.g. https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/). This sort of thing is easily within the reach of even a medium sized nation state that was interested in the investment: just need a couple of big ole radars and you can do it just like the US does. So if you do try and hide the resources of a nation-state can easily counter.

The solution to oppressive government is not technological, it's political. Prevent countries from going bad, retrieve the ones that have gone bad, it works out a lot better for everyone.

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