Could there soon be data centres in space?
PARIS : Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently took the helm of Relativity Space, a startup specialising in space launchers. His ambition is to one day place data centres directly into orbit, powered by solar energy, with the aim of alleviating their environmental footprint on Earth.
A few weeks ago, Eric Schmidt warned of a possible future energy crisis at a hearing before the US Congress.
According to him, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) means that the share of data centre activity in global electricity consumption could rise from the current 3% to 99% in the future.
In particular, he mentioned plans for data centres with a capacity of 10 gigawatts, almost 10 times the equivalent of a nuclear reactor. Indeed, a simple query on ChatGPT requires 10 times more resources than a search on a conventional search engine.
Faced with these challenges, Eric Schmidt put forward the idea of placing dedicated infrastructure in orbit, powered by solar energy and cooled by the vacuum of space.
This unique approach would reduce the environmental footprint of terrestrial data centres.
Relativity Space made a name for itself by launching its very first 3D-printed rocket, the Terran 1, in 2023. The company is currently developing a more elaborate model, dubbed Terran R, scheduled for launch in late 2026.
The idea is to make Terran R a reusable launcher for carrying medium and heavy loads, up to around 30 tonnes.
Terran R is thus positioned as a direct competitor to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy (led by Elon Musk) and Blue Origin's New Glenn (led by Jeff Bezos). It could therefore one day help launch future data centres into orbit.
Although this somewhat outlandish project presents Relativity Space with a number of technical challenges, the initiative is positioned as an innovative solution to the future AI-induced energy crisis.
Eric Schmidt's arrival at the startup is likely to attract attention and investors, in what is now an ultra-competitive sector that requires a great deal of funding.
A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), published in April, stated that by 2024, data centres would account for around 1.5% of the world's electricity consumption. This share is set to double by 2030, to equal Japan's total electricity consumption today.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
China, EU need to make the right choice as ‘two big guys' on world stage, says Xi Jinping
At a meeting in Beijing recently, President Xi Jinping urged European leaders to 'make the right strategic choice' as the world grapples with profound changes. He made the remarks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who are in Beijing for a summit that some Chinese analysts expect to be tone-setting for China-EU relations. 'Amid the accelerating transformation unseen in a century and an international landscape fraught with turbulence and transformation, China and Europe must once again demonstrate vision and responsibility by making the right strategic choices that meet people's expectations and stand the test of history,' Xi said. The first face-to-face EU-China summit since December 2023 convenes as the two sides mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, though celebrations are tempered by escalating trade disputes. Beijing is seeking to present itself as a stable alternative partner for Europe, particularly as US President Donald Trump has slapped steep tariffs on the 27-nation bloc. He added that the two sides should reinforce their partnership as a cornerstone in bilateral ties, saying that the West should judge China in a correct way, according to a Chinese statement released after his meeting with senior EU officials. 'If China is measured by the paths taken by the West, perceptions of China will inevitably be skewed,' Xi said, adding that the challenges Europe was facing 'were not from China'. 'It is our hope that Europe will likewise respect China's chosen development path and political system, duly acknowledge China's core interests and major concerns, and support China's pursuit of development and prosperity.' Xi also stressed the autonomy of China-EU relations, which he said were 'not targeted at, dependent on, nor subject to any third party'. 'The two sides should enhance strategic communication, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and foster a correct perception of each other,' the Chinese leader said. Xi described China and the European Union as 'two big guys' in the world, adding that they should combine their efforts to 'firmly grasp the right direction of China-Europe relations and work together to usher in an even brighter next 50 years'. 'China and the EU must once again demonstrate foresight and responsibility, making strategic choices that meet the expectations of their peoples and stand the test of history.' In his opening remarks, Costa reaffirmed that the EU was committed to 'deepening our bilateral partnership, making concrete progress in addressing concerns with respect, goodwill and honesty and working together to uphold multilateralism'. However, he added that the two sides needed 'concrete progress' to address challenges in trade and the economy, according to an official transcript. 'We need concrete progress on issues related to trade and economy. We both want our relationship to be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial,' he said. Costa also raised the hope of reaching a deal with China on climate change after Thursday's meeting. 'Our cooperation on climate change is an important example, and I look forward, as a result of today's summit, to a strong joint political message ahead of Cop30 in Brazil,' he said. In her remarks, von der Leyen referred to the growing imbalances and declared that the relationship was at an 'inflection point'. 'Rebalancing our bilateral relationship is essential. Because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial,' von der Leyen said, adding that it was 'vital' for both China and Europe to acknowledge respective concerns so as to come forward with real solutions. She also reaffirmed the EU's strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, the climate change treaty Trump ordered the US to quit when he returned to the White House in January. After a meeting with Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon, the two sides released a joint statement on climate change, which is widely seen as one of the few areas where the two sides might make progress. While China and the EU agreed that they would lead global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with pledges of cooperation in green technologies, the seven-point document offered no concrete actions or goals. Still, it could offer a much-needed confidence boost in Beijing and Brussels' ability to cut their emissions further before the Cop30 UN climate change summit in Brazil in November. 'Joining forces here will send a powerful message to the world,' von der Leyen said about climate change cooperation during the meeting with Li. In the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi also tried to ease concerns on the trade imbalance but said that the European Union's push to 'reduce dependence' on China should not undermine bilateral cooperation. 'The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is complementary advantages and mutual benefit and it should be, and is entirely possible to achieve, a dynamic balance in the course of development.' Despite their shared concerns over Trump's unpredictable and aggressive tariff and security policies, tensions have been mounting between China and the EU on areas from trade to security. The EU, which has long complained about China's lack of progress to ensure a level playing field for a balanced economic and trade relationship, has increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to as much as 45 per cent for state-subsidised Chinese manufacturers. Meanwhile, China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports – introduced during the trade war with the US – have added to the frustration in Europe as industries have faced an 'alarming situation' due to a shortage of the minerals, which are essential to making everything from EVs to military tanks and aircraft. China's deep ties with Russia also cast a shadow, with senior officials in Brussels, including von der Leyen, openly accusing Beijing of supporting Moscow in its prolonged war in Ukraine. In a move that touched a nerve in Europe, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU officials earlier this month that Beijing did not want to see Moscow lose the war because it feared the US could then shift more attention to China. While expectations for a breakthrough in Thursday's meeting have been low, there is hope that the talks could be a tone-setting moment for China-EU relations. Earlier on Thursday, von der Leyen said on social media that Thursday's summit was 'the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship'. 'I'm convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation. One that can define the next 50 years of our relations,' she wrote. Cui Hongjian, head of European Union studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said Beijing and Brussels should use the occasion to establish a shared understanding of their 50-year relationship and outline guiding principles to drive the relationship forward. 'It is hoped that Beijing and Brussels can come up with better and pragmatic ways to manage the interplay of competition and cooperation alongside the bilateral relationship – whether in trade or geopolitical differences – and turn competition into new opportunities for collaboration,' he said. 'I believe this highest level engagement will mark the start of a new phase in bilateral ties, where they must work to find a mutually acceptable way to engage meaningfully.' The meeting offers both China and the European Union a valuable opportunity to understand the concerns and priorities of each side, according to Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 'China-EU relations are still undergoing changes, and we should view them objectively. They have cooperation and competition at the same time, but both sides have the willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiate,' Feng said. Cui, a former Chinese diplomat, said the two sides should 'adjust their previous approaches to communication and cooperation'. Noting the cancellation of a high-level EU-China economic and trade dialogue earlier this year, Cui said there had been a gap in terms of each side's goal for the talks, with Brussels seeking tangible outcomes and Beijing viewing the dialogue as a platform for talks, cooperation and management of competition. 'If high-level dialogues are no longer Europe's preferred approach, the critical question is whether China and the EU can identify a mutually acceptable framework to address their persistent challenges.' Observers in Europe said they were less optimistic about the future of bilateral relations. Abigael Vasselier, director of policy and European affairs at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, said on Monday that Europe was entering the summit 'with no illusion that it is going to be a deal-making moment', given that there was a mismatch over various disputes. She said she expected the summit would not change the long-term course of EU-China ties, which were deeply troubled by structural issues. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Australia should compromise to reach EU trade deal, says minister
Australia and the EU are expected to conclude the second phase of a trade pact by the end of the year. (EPA Images pic) CANBERRA : Australia should accept compromises to reach a trade deal with the EU and demonstrate that such agreements can still be reached in a more protectionist world, trade minister Don Farrell said today. Farrell said in a speech at the Lowy Institute in Sydney that free trade was under threat and that Australia should work with other countries to defend it. In a question and answer session after the speech, Farrell said Australia-EU trade negotiations that restarted this year would be successful and it was in both sides' national interest to make it so. 'It will require some compromises in our negotiations, but I think the imperative here is to show the rest of the world we're fair dinkum about free and open trade and we can do agreements with other countries,' he said, using an Australian phrase meaning honest, genuine or sincere. Asked if he meant that Australian industry would have to step up in the national interest, he said: 'I'm saying exactly that'. A previous attempt to reach a trade deal failed in 2023, with Canberra wanting more ability to sell farm goods in Europe. The EU is seeking greater access to Australian critical minerals and lower tariffs on manufactured goods. Farrell also said a trade agreement with India should be reached 'in the very near future'. The two countries are aiming to conclude the second phase of a trade pact by the end of the year. Australia is also seeking to negotiate with the US to reverse tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump and prevent new ones from being imposed. Yesterday, Canberra loosened biosecurity rules to allow greater access to US beef, though it said this was the result of a long-running scientific assessment rather than a part of trade talks.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Trump, EU chief to meet Sunday in push for trade deal
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she will meet Donald Trump and resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff. (AP pic) BRUSSELS : EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump said Friday they would meet in Scotland this weekend in a decisive push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff. In a drive to slash his country's trade deficits, Trump has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariff hikes if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by Aug 1. The EU – which is facing an across-the-board levy of 30 per cent – has been pushing hard for a deal with Trump's administration while also planning retaliation should talks fall short. Von der Leyen first announced the meeting, writing on X: 'Following a good call with POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.' Arriving on UK soil late Friday, Trump confirmed he would meet the head of the European Commission, which has been negotiating with Washington on behalf of the 27-nation bloc. 'I'll be meeting with the EU on Sunday, and we'll be working on a deal,' he told reporters as he touched down at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow. 'Ursula will be here – a highly respected woman. So we look forward to that,' Trump said. 'We'll see if we make a deal,' added the president, who reiterated earlier comments saying the chance of a deal was '50-50', with sticking points remaining on 'maybe 20 different things'. 'But we're meeting … with the European Union. And that would be, actually, the biggest deal of them all, if we make it,' he said. The high-level meeting follows months of negotiations between top EU and US trade officials and days of signals suggesting the sides were moving towards an agreement. According to multiple European diplomats, the agreement under consideration would involve a baseline 15% US levy on EU goods – the same level secured by Japan this week – and potential carve-outs for critical sectors. Von der Leyen's spokesperson Paula Pinho said 'intensive negotiations' had been taking place at a technical and political level in the run-up to Sunday's meeting. 'Leaders will now take stock and consider the scope for a balanced outcome that provides stability and predictability for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic,' she said. 'In Trump's hands' Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25% levy on cars, 50% on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10%, which Washington threatens to hike to 30% in a no-deal scenario. The EU wants to avoid sweeping tariffs inflicting further harm on the European economy – already suffering from sluggish growth – and damaging a trading relationship worth an annual €1.6 trillion (US$1.9 trillion) in goods and services. EU member states gave the European Commission a mandate to pursue a deal to avoid hefty US tariffs, with retaliation held out as a last resort if talks fail. Seeking to keep up the pressure in the final stretch of talks, EU states on Thursday backed a package of retaliation on US$109 billion (€93 billion) of US goods, including aircraft and cars – to kick in in stages from Aug 7 if there is no deal. Most states prefer a deal to no deal – even with undesirable levies of 15% – but exemptions are key, with aircraft, steel, lumber, pharmaceutical products and agricultural goods under discussion, diplomats said. Concerning steel, diplomats say a compromise could allow a certain quota to enter the US, with amounts beyond that taxed at 50%. Since launching its tariffs campaign, Trump's administration has so far unveiled just five agreements, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines. While EU hopes have been rising for a deal, the approaching August 1 deadline also comes with a sense of deja-vu: earlier this month, EU officials also believed they were on the cusp of a deal before Trump hiked his tariff threat to 30%. 'The final decision is in the hands of President Trump,' an EU diplomat stressed this week.
