Orbital Data Center Startup Plans to Mine Bitcoin in Space

Orbital data center startup Starcloud has announced plans to begin mining Bitcoin in space later this year. The initiative is expected to launch alongside the company’s second spacecraft, potentially making Starcloud the first company to operate Bitcoin mining infrastructure beyond Earth.

Chief executive Philip Johnston said the company views space computing as a highly efficient environment for crypto mining. He noted that application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miners are significantly cheaper to operate than GPUs in space-based systems.

ASIC Mining Seen as Cost-Efficient for Space Computing

According to Johnston, ASIC devices can deliver much lower energy costs compared with graphics processors. A 1-kilowatt GPU chip can cost around $30,000, while an ASIC with similar power usage may cost roughly $1,000. On a per-kilowatt basis, ASICs are estimated to be about 30 times cheaper than GPUs, making them a practical option for space-based mining operations.

Starcloud, founded in 2024, focuses on building orbital data centers powered primarily by solar energy. The company previously launched a satellite carrying an NVIDIA H100 into orbit, marking one of the first deployments of such advanced computing hardware in space.

Growing Interest in Space-Based Crypto Infrastructure

The startup’s long term vision includes deploying a large constellation of satellites to support high-demand computing tasks such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining. Johnston argues that large-scale Bitcoin mining could eventually move off Earth, particularly as the network currently consumes around 20 gigawatts of power globally.

Recent market conditions have pressured mining profitability, with Bitcoin’s price falling significantly from its previous highs. However, a decline in network mining difficulty has provided temporary relief for some miners.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.