Another thing to consider is that transformers are very general computers. You can encode many many more complex architectures in simpler, multi layer transformers.

The main benefit is that solar panels go from a complicated mess of batteries + permitting to a very stable, highly efficient energy source.

I don't think this is true, Starlink satellites have an orbital lifetime of 5-7 years, and GPUs themselves are much more sensitive than solar panels for rad damage. I'd guess the limiting factor is GPU lifetime, so as long as your energy savings outpace the slightly faster gpu depreciation (maybe from 5 -> 3 years) plus cost of launch, it would be economical.

I've said this elsewhere, but based on my envelope math, the cost of launch is the main bottleneck and I think considerably more difficult to solve than any of the other negatives. Even shielding from radiation is a weight issue. Unfortunately all the comments here on HN are focused on the wrong, irrelevant issues like talking about convection in space.

Also this assumes a flat surface on both sides. Another commenter in this thread brought up a pyramid shape which could work.

Finally, these gpus are design for earth data centers where power is limited and heat sinks are abundant. In the case of space data centers you can imagine we get better radiators or silicon that runs hotter. Crypto miners often run asics very hot.

I just don't understand why every time this topic is brought up, everyone on HN wants to die on the hill that cooling is not possible. It is?? the primary issue if you do the math is clearly the cost of launch.

According to this other source https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2026/02/02/space...

the filing mentions this

> these satellites would operate between 500 km and 2,000 km altitude and 30 degrees and Sun-Synchronous Orbit inclinations (SSO)

1. solar is very efficient at generating energy, no moving parts, simple physics etc.

2. in space you don't deal with weather or daylight cycle, you can just point your panels at the sun and generate very stable energy, no batteries required

3. environmental factors are simpler, no earthquakes, security, weather. Main problem here is radiation

In theory its a very elegant way to convert energy to compute.

I don't think dissipating heat would be an issue at all. The cost of launch I think is the main bottleneck, but cooling would just be a small overhead on the cost of energy. Not a fundamental problem.