Recently, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed skepticism about the concept of space-based data centers during an interview, sparking a heated discussion with Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX. Musk plans to build data centers in space, believing it to be key to future development, while Altman called the idea "absurd."

In a live interview in New Delhi, Altman pointed out that although space technology is advancing, current technological conditions do not support the construction of space-based data centers. He said, "Honestly, from a technical perspective, the idea of building a data center in space is absurd." His remarks caused laughter from the audience. Altman acknowledged that it might be possible in the future, but at present, the high cost of launching and the difficulty of repairing computer chips in space remain major challenges to be addressed.

Musk clearly does not agree with Altman's view. He has long been pushing for the development of space technology and mentioned in December last year at the xAI all-hands meeting that a space-based data center is his next goal. SpaceX's plan is to launch a "data center constellation" consisting of one million satellites, and the company has already started hiring engineers to advance this plan.

Despite Altman's skepticism, other leading companies in the tech industry have not slowed down their exploration of space-based data centers. Google's "Project Suncatcher," launched in 2025, is designed for this purpose. Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated in a recent interview that the company aims to send a solar-powered data center into space by 2027.

Technology and AI companies rely on data centers to provide powerful computing capabilities, but at the same time, the rapid expansion of data centers has also brought issues such as resource consumption, environmental pollution, and community opposition. According to Business Insider, it is expected that by the end of 2024, more than 1,200 data centers will be approved for construction in the United States, four times the number in 2010, highlighting the seriousness of this trend.

In this context, the debate over space-based data centers has sparked deeper reflections on the future of technological development. Whether technological progress can balance with the environment and communities remains to be seen with time.

Key Points:

🌌 ** Altman: Building data centers in space is "absurd" with current technology **  

🛰️ ** Musk is actively pushing the orbital data center plan, SpaceX has already started hiring engineers **  

☀️ ** Google plans to launch a solar-powered data center by 2027, tech giants are increasingly investing in space **