• Frozengyro@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      I had a family member talk about space data centers. I tried to explain how the issue in space is more about getting rid of heat, but they couldn’t comprehend it cause space=cold.

      • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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        2 hours ago

        they were even talking about ocean datacenter a while ago, people dont comprehend how expensive you have to deal with oceanwater, granted it may dissipate heat faster. but dealing with corrosions, logistics would be expensive too.

      • krashmo@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        I would think dealing with radiaton would be the most difficult thing about massive amounts of electronics in space. That’s why a chip on a satellite is much more expensive than an equivalent chip that stays on Earth.

          • orclev@lemmy.world
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            4 hours ago

            Don’t forget power it as well. Watched a video where someone did the math and to generate the power required of a typical data center you’d need a solar array something like 40 times the size of the one on the ISS. It would be an absolute behemoth of a satellite and that’s without taking into account the cooling which would likely double the size again. Of course once you get that big then you have to worry about keeping the thing in orbit because moving that much mass isn’t exactly easy. No matter how you slice it it’s a stupid ass idea that doesn’t work.

            • Womble@piefed.world
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              22 minutes ago

              Power is pretty much the only part of space data centres that does make sense. You can put them in an orbit to get 24hr solar power and its stronger than on the ground as there’s no atmosphere in the way. Large foldable solar panels are available, and unlike radiators you don’t have to pump liquids through them.

              Other than hype (which is by far the major driving force behind companies talking about them) access to that power without regulation is the reason you would want to put them in space.

    • saltesc@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      It would be the most depressing job. You’d get bored so fast.

      Heeere am I floating 'round a DC
      Faaar above the world
      Replace a GPU
      Maybe have a wank or two