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1. aunty_+(OP)[view] [source] 2026-02-04 05:40:20
Yes, that’s what we’re talking about. Data centers in space.

You put the cold side of the phase change on the internal cooling loop, step up the external cooling loop as high temp as you can and then circulate that through the radiators. You might even do this step up more than once.

Imagine the data center like a box, you want it to be cold inside, and there’s a compressor, you use to transfer heat from inside to outside, the outside gets hot, inside cold. You then put a radiator on the back of the box and radiate the heat to the darkness of space.

This is all very dependent on the biggest and cheapest rockets in the world but it’s a tradeoff of convenience and serviceability for unlimited free energy.

replies(1): >>abenga+35
2. abenga+35[view] [source] 2026-02-04 06:27:35
>>aunty_+(OP)
Why not use the unlimited free energy on terrestrial data centers then? You can use solar power as we speak, no?
replies(1): >>aunty_+6U
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3. aunty_+6U[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 13:07:09
>>abenga+35
Because the sun hides at night. Scientists have yet to figure out where he goes. Until that happens it’s not a great power source.
replies(2): >>direwo+vV >>abenga+vi2
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4. direwo+vV[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 13:16:38
>>aunty_+6U
What do the satellites do in earth's shadow?
replies(1): >>aunty_+dh1
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5. aunty_+dh1[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 15:13:17
>>direwo+vV
Polar orbit. We’re already doing this.
replies(1): >>direwo+eR2
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6. abenga+vi2[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 19:53:11
>>aunty_+6U
Overprovision solar and add batteries for the night, then. Whatever amount of money and effort is required to make space data centers feasible (launching, cooling, etc) cannot possibly be lower than just building solar powered terrestrial data centers + batteries or alternative power sources. It is just not as sexy a story to sell to investors as magic space computers.
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7. direwo+eR2[view] [source] [discussion] 2026-02-04 22:37:11
>>aunty_+dh1
What do they do in earth's shadow in a polar orbit?
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