> Neither of those violate the laws of physics. As I said, they may not work economically, but that depends on a large number of unknowns, including the cost per ton to orbit and the cost per GW of new power capacity on Earth in 2030. If you have a time machine and know those numbers, then can I please borrow your time machine?
Alphabet researchers have estimated future launch costs based on learning curves; they estimate that after Starship has launched 370,000 tons to LEO, they will have figured out how to reduce launch costs by enough to make space data centres viable.
They optimistically suggested this might take ten years.
Given the rate of development of Starship as a launch system, I suspect that Musk will reach federal pension age before this is viable.
Alphabet researchers have estimated future launch costs based on learning curves; they estimate that after Starship has launched 370,000 tons to LEO, they will have figured out how to reduce launch costs by enough to make space data centres viable.
They optimistically suggested this might take ten years.
Given the rate of development of Starship as a launch system, I suspect that Musk will reach federal pension age before this is viable.