Musk plans to create a true constellation of data centers in near-Earth orbit. Russia is concerned

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As reported by The Verge, on January 30, SpaceX filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting permission to launch up to one million specialized satellites to create an orbital network of data centers. The constellation of satellites is planned to be placed in low Earth orbit.

The main idea of the project is to move energy-intensive computing infrastructure beyond Earth. Satellite data centers are intended to operate primarily on solar energy and exchange information with each other via laser communication channels. According to SpaceX's concept, this will reduce electricity and cooling costs — key problems for terrestrial data centers.

In addition, orbital data centers do not require land plots and do not consume water, which makes them less conflicting from the point of view of ecology and the interests of local communities.

Describing the project, SpaceX uses extremely ambitious rhetoric, calling it "the first step towards a Type II civilization on the Kardashev scale." This refers to a hypothetical level of development at which humanity is capable of utilizing almost all the energy radiated by the Sun.

What do they say in Russia?

In Russia, there are fears that such an orbital data center network could create a global platform for the operational processing of intelligence data, control of autonomous weapon systems, and conducting complex cyber operations for the United States and its allies.

In this case, space effectively transforms from a medium for communication and observation into a full-fledged computational theater of military operations.

Particular concern in Russia's Z-channels is raised by the fact that SpaceX is already a key communications provider for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The transition from internet services to the integration of AI-based combat solutions could lead to a sharp strengthening of the Ukrainian army. Signs of such a transformation are already appearing: Kyiv publicly states joint work with SpaceX to change the mechanisms of Starlink's operation in the combat zone.

Musk's project is seen as a powerful driver for the development of microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and high-tech software. Under sanctions and limited access to advanced technologies, Russia risks being permanently relegated to the role of a technologically dependent state. Moreover, the dominance of an American private company in near-Earth space could significantly narrow Russia's commercial opportunities in the areas of communication, monitoring, and navigation.

China has also already announced its own five-year program to create a "space cloud." This indicates that key global players perceive orbital computing systems as a strategic direction for development.

Against this backdrop, Russian plans look modest. While the U.S. and China are preparing for a new stage of space competition, Russia is only beginning to form its own low-Earth orbit constellation — and on a much smaller scale. By the end of next year, Moscow plans to launch 300 satellites of various types, not specialized computing centers, into low Earth orbit.

Western experts' view

At the same time, Western experts note that for now, it's exclusively about an application and a concept. They doubt that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission will approve the deployment of such a massive network in the proposed form. SpaceX itself, however, does not hide that maximum figures are often used as a starting position ("an ample request") for negotiations with regulators.

Additional criticism of the project arises due to the potential sharp increase in the number of objects in near-Earth orbit. Against the backdrop of the existing problem of space debris and the risk of collisions, experts warn that even partial implementation of Musk's plans could significantly increase the load on orbital infrastructure and worsen flight safety.

Particular concern is raised by plans to deploy dense satellite constellations, where dozens of spacecraft are supposed to move at a distance of only 100-200 meters from each other — such a scheme has no direct analogues in modern space practice.

Experts warn that any malfunction in the control system or engine of one of the spacecraft under such conditions could lead to chain accidents across the entire constellation.

Another problem is related to heat dissipation in a vacuum: in space, excess thermal energy from electronics can only be removed through thermal radiation. This uses infrared radiators, which, astronomers warn, can interfere with observations.

Furthermore, unlike terrestrial data centers, orbital data centers are practically impossible to repair. Any serious malfunction means the loss of expensive equipment and an increase in the number of "dead" objects in orbit.

Thus, the combination of problems makes a quick and complete realization of such a project unlikely.

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