Data centers are crucial to keeping up with the fifth industrial revolution. But the consensus is clear: this time we can no longer pacify scientific progress with fossil fuels.
Indeed, by 2026, total global electricity consumption from data centers could exceed 1,000 terawatt hours – roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of Japan. As our appetite for AI grows, data centers will also need more space – land that is increasingly scarce on our planet.
From the beginning of space exploration, popular culture has looked to the stars to imagine a future beyond Earth. Now a more pragmatic option has emerged to reduce the environmental impact on our planet – sending data centers into space.
At Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), we are proud to participate in an initiative led by Thales Alenia Space called the Advanced Space Cloud for European Net zero emission and Data sovereignty (ASCEND) project. This project is part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe research program. ASCEND is investigating the feasibility of developing, deploying and operating carbon-free data centers in orbit to support the EU Green Deal goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Space vision for AI
The concept behind ASCEND is revolutionary. By moving data centers into Earth’s orbit, we could harness renewable solar energy on an unprecedented scale. Solar energy collected in space could power these orbital facilities continuously, without reliance on terrestrial resources. By bypassing the need for large physical spaces and extensive cooling infrastructures, orbital data centers would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional data center operations.
Data sovereignty is another key pillar of the ASCEND initiative. A European-controlled, alien data infrastructure can support the EU’s ambition for technological sovereignty by reducing reliance on global cloud providers outside Europe. This approach ensures that European data remains under European control, and promotes data privacy and compliance with regional regulations.
As demand for data continues to grow, HPE’s role in developing space-ready, energy-efficient technology could set a new industry standard. This demonstrates how visionary, sustainable solutions can reshape digital infrastructure.
HPE’s contributions to ASCEND
HPE brings a wealth of experience and expertise to ASCEND, including advanced knowledge in supercomputing, space technology and efficient data center design. Building on its proven success with the Spaceborne Computer – which performed reliably aboard the ISS in an environment of weightlessness and high radiation – HPE’s role includes the design and development of robust computing systems and data center architecture specifically tailored to the challenges of space.
With our expertise in delivering the world’s fastest and most efficient supercomputers, our team is responsible for designing and assembling space-ready IT building blocks, upon which Thales Alenia Space will develop appropriate power and cooling modules. HPE aims to deliver 800 kW of orbital computing power per launch, which could eventually scale up to reach the ASCEND goal of 1 gigawatt by 2050.
In addition, HPE’s responsibilities go beyond computer hardware to include the entire IT architecture required for space-based operations. This includes designing the modular structure to house data centers and specifying power, space and cooling requirements to ensure high availability and seamless functionality.
The ASCEND initiative and visionary goals reflect our commitment at HPE to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: sustainable data infrastructure in the age of AI. While space-based data centers may still be a long way off, through our contributions to the project we hope to chart a new course for the technology industry, proving that ambitious, environmentally conscious technology can drive progress and help the EU achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
This is a submitted contribution by Pascal Lecoq, Director WW Sustainable DC Modernization at HPE.