The challenge of building data centers might have an outer space solution.
Researchers have been exploring the idea of launching data centers aboard earth orbiting satellites for years. University of Arizona engineering scientist Krishna Muralidharan explains satellites of various sizes could store data safely in space without impacting natural resources on Earth.
"It’s not one data center, we probably would have more satellites, nano-satellites, and in different orbits as well, depending on how important the data is,” he said.
Muralidharan adds such satellites will need to be built to withstand radiation and the other hazards of an outer space environment. They would also need to be launched high enough to avoid the growing issue of space debris in low Earth orbit.
“Where do you put it, how well can you engineer it, how well can you communicate back and forth between these satellites, then you need radiation hardened materials, computer architectures that can withstand the rigors of space.”
Data satellites would run on solar power and could be placed into orbits that guarantee storage for generations. Some scientists forecast data centers can be landed on the moon or even placed on asteroids for extra protection against space debris.
