Space computers for orbital data centers to be built by US firm

Sophia Space, a Pasadena-based startup, has secured $10 million in Seed funding to develop AI-optimized computing infrastructure designed specifically for operation in the harsh environment of Earth's orbit. The company is addressing the significant challenge of heat dissipation in space, where traditional cooling methods like fans and liquid cooling are ineffective due to the vacuum and lack of air. Their proprietary passive radiative cooling technology, combined with a modular "TILE" platform, aims to enable supercomputers to operate efficiently in orbit without overheating. This approach contrasts with current industry solutions, such as those used by SpaceX and Google, which rely on bulky radiators. Sophia Space's TILE modules integrate passive heat spreaders and solar panels to maximize energy use for processing, targeting 92% power efficiency. The startup plans to develop a software layer to manage workload distribution across these modules and intends to flight-test the system on an Apex Space satellite bus by late 2027. Looking ahead, Sophia Space envisions constructing large-scale orbital data