A render of the up to 100,000 space-based data centers Orbital has proposed to help meet growing AI demand on Earth. Credit: Orbital
TAMPA, Fla. — Europe risks becoming dependent on foreign orbital computing infrastructure as U.S. companies and China’s government-led push accelerate the development of space-based data centers, according to the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
A report published by the independent think tank Aug. 5 singled out China’s rapid progress in the field, boosted by a mix of national policy, municipal initiatives and backing from state-owned enterprises.
“While European actors continue to weigh the development of orbital data centers (ODCs), Chinese institutions and companies are already moving towards implementation,” the report warned.
“Three-Body Constellation, launched by ADA Space in 2025, marked the first operational example of space-based computing; and Beijing has not slowed down since.”
