Aetherflux, a California-based startup specializing in space-based solar technology, has announced its ambitious new initiative called the “Galactic Brain.” This project aims to establish orbital data centers powered by solar energy, significantly enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) computing capabilities. By utilizing a constellation of satellites, Aetherflux intends to bypass the energy constraints and lengthy construction timelines associated with traditional data centers on Earth.
The announcement, made on December 9, 2023, comes at a time when the demand for AI computing power is escalating rapidly. According to Aetherflux founder and CEO Baiju Bhatt, who co-founded the financial services platform Robinhood, “The race for artificial general intelligence is fundamentally a race for compute capacity, and by extension, energy.” The company plans to launch the first node of its Galactic Brain constellation in the first quarter of 2027.
A New Era for AI Computing
As major tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Amazon explore orbital computing solutions, Aetherflux’s project positions itself at the forefront of this evolving landscape. The company envisions satellites equipped with localized AI computing capabilities. In a recent post on X, Elon Musk emphasized the potential of such systems, stating, “Satellites with localized AI compute, where just the results are beamed back from low-latency, sun-synchronous orbit, will be the lowest cost way to generate AI bitstreams.”
With its focus on harnessing solar power in space, Aetherflux aims to “build an American power grid in space.” This strategic direction aligns with the Galactic Brain initiative, which seeks to eliminate the limitations faced by Earth-based data centers. The company highlights that continuous solar power and advanced thermal systems will facilitate a more efficient computing environment.
Innovative Power-Beaming Technology
Aetherflux’s design incorporates numerous small satellites that will transmit energy via infrared lasers to ground stations. This innovative approach enables effective power and data distribution. The company asserts that its power-beaming technology will be significantly more reliable than current terrestrial solar power generation.
In addition to its ambitious computing plans, Aetherflux intends to launch its first power-beaming demonstration satellite to low Earth orbit in 2026. This demonstration will further illustrate the feasibility of its technology and its potential impact on both orbiting data centers and energy delivery on Earth.
As Aetherflux navigates this complex landscape, its Galactic Brain project represents a significant step toward reshaping the future of AI computing, positioning itself as a pioneer in the growing field of orbital data solutions. The company is set to play a crucial role in addressing the increasing demands for computing power while leveraging the advantages of solar energy in space.
