Article

Gartner's report states that the concept of data centers in orbit is economically unfeasible and unrealistic, describing discussions around it as 'madness.' Major challenges include high launch costs, cooling technology issues, and maintenance difficulties in space.

These data centers must withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and require expensive specialized components. Additionally, the idea of using laser communication for data transfer is questioned due to potential disruptions from clouds and weather, impacting speed. While Gartner does not rule out future roles for this technology, it suggests that it may be suitable for processing space-generated data like satellite imagery before transmission to Earth.