Computers on the MOON? Tech firms racing to turn Space into huge solar-powered data centre to feed Earth’s AI revolution
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TECH firms are racing to launch solar-powered data centres into space that will fuel Earth's AI revolution. The world's data requirements are sky-rocketing as AI technology advances at a lightening-fast pace, so firms are thinking outside of the box - and the atmosphere - for solutions.
![[A spacecraft prepared for launch.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dial-computers-moon-tech-firms-965807899.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Cheaper rocket launches, advances in solar energy and efficient cooling systems have ignited a race amongst startups to turn space into a massive data hub. One space tech startup has already unveiled plans to build the first physical data centre on the surface of the moon.
![[Illustration of a moon-based data center with Earth visible in the background.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dial-computers-moon-tech-firms-965807898.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Lonestar Data Holdings will launch a full-assembled structure into space next month using using a SpaceX rocket and moon landing gear from Intuitive Machines. The company website boasts: “It will be the first physical data centre flown off the planet.
![[Full Wolf Moon and Mars.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/7c15f00a-d531-4694-a3b3-027b510a48a0.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"It is serving a host of data storage and edge processing customers, each in their own way, expanding the art of the possible.". Chris Scott, Lonestar CEO, said the company is laser-focused on overseeing a mission success. He said: "This idea of using earth's largest satellite as an anchor point, it's far enough that we can have security [on communications].".
![[Illustration of a satellite orbiting Earth, beaming data to cloud servers.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dial-computers-moon-tech-firms-965807900.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He explained the focus of the project was on disaster recovery and storage. The data centre, called Freedom, already has some notable clients signed up to its services including the State of Florida, the Isle of Man government, the AI firm Valkyrie and pop-rock band Imagine Dragons.
