Google Moves AI Data Center to Orbit, Where No One Can Attend the Zoning Meeting
Early tests show the chips survive cosmic radiation, 100 g of launch force, and the complete absence of a neighborhood association.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google confirmed this week that it is preparing to launch AI accelerator chips into low Earth orbit, a location the company chose after a thorough search for a site with abundant sunlight, natural cooling, and no town council.
"Space offers up to eight times the solar power available on Earth," said a Google spokesperson. "It also offers zero public comment periods, which we did not put in the press release but did put in the spreadsheet."
The move follows polling that found 71 percent of Americans oppose a data center in their community. Of the remaining 29 percent, an internal company analysis found, most live in low Earth orbit or are unsure where they live.
The project's engineers said the chips had been tested against cosmic radiation, launch vibration of up to 100 g, and the absence of airflow. They said the most rigorous test was a simulated town hall, in which 300 residents shouted about noise and water rates at a satellite that could not hear them.
"It passed," said Dr. Anneliese Obuya-Kowalczyk, a thermal engineer on a comparable program. "That is the first time in the history of the industry a facility has passed a town hall. The trick is to be 400 miles up."
Local officials expressed frustration that the facility would pass over their jurisdictions roughly 16 times per day without ever filing for a permit. One county planning commission in Virginia said it had voted 6-1 to deny the satellite a variance, and would enforce the decision "the next time it comes down."
At press time, a group of homeowners had formed a new association to oppose the orbital data center, and scheduled its first meeting for the only time the satellite was visible, 4:12 a.m.