SynopsisSpaceX's blockbuster IPO ‌has rekindled ⁠investor ⁠interest in the space industry, including in emerging ​areas such as orbital data centers.AgenciesStarcloud, a startup building data centers in space, said on Friday it had raised $250 million at a $2.3 billion valuation, as it looks to expand AI infrastructure through orbital data centers.SpaceX's blockbuster IPO ‌has rekindled ⁠investor ⁠interest in the space industry, including in emerging ​areas such as orbital data centers.Manhattan West led the round that included new investors Nvidia and Cisco Investments, alongside existing backers Benchmark, EQT and ⁠Soma, among ‌others.The startup was previously ​valued at $1.1 ​billion in March, when it ⁠raised $170 million.The funding brings Starcloud's total ​capital raised to $450 million since its ​founding in 2024.The startup said it was working with Nvidia on the Nvidia Space-1 Vera Rubin Module, designed to withstand radiation and extreme conditions in orbit.‌The capital raised will be used to fund manufacturing capacity expansion, engineering ​collaboration with ​Nvidia and ⁠procurement for newer products.Starcloud is targeting a constellation of 88,000 satellites and 20 gigawatts of ​orbital compute capacity, and building a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Woodinville, Washington, for its next-generation Starcloud-3 spacecraft.Manhattan West's Lauren Selig has joined Starcloud's board as an observer. ...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now