Imagine a future where data centers orbit the Earth, offering enhanced security, performance, and reduced environmental impact compared to their terrestrial counterparts. The University of Arizona is at the forefront of this technological revolution with its AZSCI project, aiming to bring cloud computing infrastructure into space.
An initiative of the University of Arizona, AZSCI, pronounced “A-Z Sky,” is part of a broader effort to overcome technical, safety, policy, and business model challenges associated with space-based computing. As one of the six projects funded by the Big Idea Challenge, AZSCI received $250,000 to drive innovative solutions to significant societal issues.
Krishna Muralidharan is the primary investigator for the AZSCI project.
Kris Hanning/Office of Research and Partnerships
“The university has an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, become the domain leader and radically rethink what is possible,” stated Krishna Muralidharan, the project’s principal investigator and director of the university’s Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing.
AZSCI leverages the University of Arizona’s expertise in fields like optics and techno-economics, attracting companies to invest in space computing. “There is huge potential for companies,” said Karthik Kannan, co-principal investigator. “The next wave of innovation and exploration is in space. This becomes the stepping stone.”
The private sector is already showing interest. Starcloud, a U.S. startup, has launched a satellite showcasing early in-orbit computing, while Google’s Suncatcher project plans to deploy test satellites by 2027. Axiom Space is also developing infrastructure with computing capabilities in orbit. The University of Arizona is actively working to transition the space computing concept into practical applications.
Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships, emphasized, “Space-based data centers represent a profound shift in how the world will store, process, move and secure information, and the University of Arizona intends to help shape that future.”
Local Initiative Tackles Global Challenges
By collaborating with public and private partners, University of Arizona faculty are researching ways to reduce the energy and water consumption of traditional data centers, which consume significant resources. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, data centers accounted for around 8% of commercial electricity use in 2024 and could rise to 20% by 2050.
Orbital data centers, comprised of satellite constellations, address these issues by utilizing space’s natural cooling and solar energy. Industry studies, like Europe’s ASCEND feasibility project, suggest operational orbital centers could become a reality within 10 to 15 years.
Tucson City Council member Nikki Lee noted the importance of these initiatives: “As Southern Arizona expands its technology sector, we need forward-thinking solutions that not only drive economic growth but also strengthen our digital infrastructure – without overtaxing our natural resources.”
Technical Advancements and Industry Collaboration
AZSCI team member Karthik Kannan is an expert on the intersection of technology, economics and business strategy.
Eller College of Management
AZSCI’s initial goal is to design data center systems for space, including servers, storage, power, cooling equipment, and communications technology, according to Kannan. He highlighted the university’s ability to address equipment-related challenges, such as efficient space launches, radiation protection, and modularity.
Communications present another challenge, requiring fast and reliable connections across vast distances. Orbital data centers are expected to use optical links via lasers, offering advantages like high bandwidth and low-latency data transmission.
Professor Krishna Muralidharan, an expert in materials science and engineering, focuses on integrating materials capable of supporting technologies like neuromorphic and quantum computing. “Without materials, none of this happens,” he stated.
The project plans to first modify existing technologies for space conditions, then introduce new materials to enhance security and enable rapid decision-making in orbit.
Regulatory Challenges and Future Prospects
Elizabeth Baldwin anchors the team’s regulatory and policy analysis efforts.
Kris Hanning/Office of Research and Partnerships
By 2027, the AZSCI team aims to present economic and regulatory analyses, considering ownership and ethical concerns in space. Elizabeth Baldwin, an associate professor at the School of Government and Public Policy, emphasized the importance of focusing on the public good.
The team plans to develop a digital twin of an orbital data center, demonstrating components such as software and communication, and modeling responses to potential cyberattacks. This digital approach ensures the project does not add to space debris.
With support from the Big Idea Challenge, Muralidharan expressed confidence in moving the project forward: “It allows us to nucleate around a good idea and bring all the stakeholders into place. We can grow this into something that’s feasible and tangible.”
A version of this story originally appeared on the Office of Research and Partnerships website.
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