A Washington startup says the subsequent frontier in computing, and maybe Bitcoin mining, might orbit tons of of miles above Earth.
Bitcoin mining goes to area as Starcloud prepares to launch Starcloud 2 satellite tv for pc
Redmond-based area expertise and synthetic intelligence (AI) infrastructure firm StarCloud is shifting ahead with plans to find a knowledge middle in low Earth orbit, a plan that goals to harness the continual photo voltaic power and pure cooling properties of area, whereas additionally hinting at the potential for mining Bitcoin exterior of Earth's environment, PCMag experiences.
The corporate launched StarCloud 1 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in November 2025, proving its idea for the primary time. For the primary time, a small satellite tv for pc the scale of a fridge is supplied with 5 Nvidia H100 processors>
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The corporate is at present getting ready a bigger monitoring satellite tv for pc. CEO Philip Johnston stated Starcloud-2, scheduled to launch in late 2026, will characteristic a a lot bigger cluster of GPUs, together with specialised Bitcoin mining {hardware} often known as ASICs (Utility-Particular Built-in Circuits).
“There's additionally Bitcoin mining… we're planning to have a Bitcoin mining ASIC within the second gadget that launches later this 12 months,” Johnston stated in an interview with PCMag. “We expect we might be the primary to mine cash in area.”
This idea is predicated on two benefits distinctive to orbit. Satellites situated in sun-synchronous orbits can obtain near-constant daylight, eliminating many of the evening cycles and climate disturbances that have an effect on solar energy technology on Earth. On the identical time, the vacuum of area would act as a large warmth sink, permitting radiators to launch waste warmth immediately into area with out the usage of water-intensive cooling methods.
Starcloud claims that this example has the potential to considerably cut back power prices. The corporate estimates that orbital information facilities can function at roughly one-tenth decrease power prices than conventional amenities, whereas lowering lifetime carbon emissions as nicely.
To help that imaginative and prescient, the startup has filed paperwork with the Federal Communications Fee (FCC) looking for approval for a constellation of 88,000 satellites devoted to orbital computing infrastructure. Johnston outlined a long-term aim of constructing a 5-gigawatt orbital information middle supported by an enormous photo voltaic array spanning a number of kilometers.
Bitcoin mining is framed as an early take a look at case for the power mannequin. Mining {hardware} is less expensive than high-end AI processors and may monetize surplus energy generated by photo voltaic arrays in orbit.
ASIC mining machines usually value tons of to hundreds of {dollars} every, in comparison with tens of hundreds of {dollars} for superior AI GPUs. Mining primarily converts electrical energy into cryptographic calculations, making it a pure match for extraterrestrial energy technology because of the regular availability of photo voltaic power.
The concept of mining Bitcoin in area has been circulating for years, however StarCloud's plan is likely one of the first publicly disclosed {hardware} deployments aimed toward proving the idea. One other startup, Intercosmic Power, has proposed a roadmap for a solar-powered orbital mining system, however has not but begun working the {hardware}.
Declining launch prices have revived curiosity within the idea. Trendy rockets are steadily lowering the price per kilogram of payload they carry into orbit, making it extra sensible to deploy computing {hardware} and huge photo voltaic arrays on Earth.
On the identical time, the effectivity positive factors in mining {hardware} are slowing down in comparison with earlier than. Longer alternative cycles imply ASICs might be saved in use for longer intervals of time, probably enhancing the economics of working in area.
Regardless of the thrill, this method faces main hurdles. House {hardware} should additionally stand up to publicity to radiation, temperature fluctuations, and potential collisions with particles. Satellite tv for pc reliability additionally stays a priority, with certainly one of Starcloud-1's GPUs reportedly failing earlier than launch.
Regulators and environmental teams are additionally watching carefully. Giant constellations increase questions on orbital crowding and the chance of cascading particles occasions, also called Kessler syndrome.
Even throughout the expertise trade, there stays skepticism about its near-term feasibility. Critics argue that sustaining high-performance computing methods in orbit might pose logistical challenges that outweigh the power advantages, no less than initially.
Nonetheless, curiosity in orbital computing is rising quickly. Corporations like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Axiom House have all outlined plans for orbital infrastructure that may help computing workloads.
Market predictions counsel that orbital title=”Study Bitcoin Mining” goal=”_blank”>Bitcoin mining is an indication, not a vacation spot. By operating ASICs in parallel with AI {hardware}, the corporate hopes to display that everlasting on-orbit solar energy can help each rising AI workloads and energy-intensive cryptographic operations.
If the StarCloud 2 mission is profitable later this 12 months, the primary Bitcoin mined in area might arrive ahead of most anticipated, marking one other milestone on the rising intersection of area expertise and digital infrastructure.
Regularly requested questions 🛰️
- What’s Starcloud?Starcloud is a Washington-based startup that makes use of photo voltaic power to develop information facilities in low Earth orbit.
- Does Bitcoin mining truly happen in area?StarCloud says its StarCloud 2 satellite tv for pc, scheduled to launch in 2026, will probably be outfitted with ASIC {hardware} designed to mine Bitcoin.
- Why mine Bitcoin in area?With fixed photo voltaic power and vacuum cooling, orbital computing might be less expensive and extra power environment friendly.
- When will the primary Bitcoin be mined in orbit?If the StarCloud 2 mission is profitable, the primary space-mined Bitcoin might be created as early as the top of 2026.
