News: 0181024924

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Nvidia Announces Vera Rubin Space-1 Chip System For Orbital AI Data Centers

(Wednesday March 18, 2026 @03:00AM (BeauHD) from the final-frontier dept.)


Nvidia [1]unveiled its Vera Rubin Space-1 system for [2]powering AI workloads in orbital data centers . "Space computing, the final frontier, has arrived," said CEO Jensen Huang. "As we deploy satellite constellations and explore deeper into space, intelligence must live wherever data is generated." CNBC reports:

> In a press release, the company said that its Vera Rubin Space-1 Module, which includes the IGX Thor and Jetson Orin, will be used on space missions led by multiple companies. The chips are specifically "engineered for size-, weight- and power-constrained environments." Partners include Axiom Space, Starcloud and Planet.

>

> Huang said Nvidia is working with partners on a new computer for orbital data centers, but there are still engineering hurdles to overcome. "In space, there's no convection, there's just radiation," Huang said during his GTC keynote, "and so we have to figure out how to cool these systems out in space, but we've got lots of great engineers working on it."



[1] https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/space-computing

[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/nvidia-chips-orbital-data-centers-space-ai.html


Intelligence ?!?! (Score:2)

by Archfeld ( 6757 )

Methinks they are drinking their own Kool-Aid. They seem to think their chips are actually intelligent ?!!?

Keep this guy away from anything scientific please...

Re: (Score:1)

by Zero__Kelvin ( 151819 )

Well, since there are far, far too many examples to list here you will have to do the hard work of going to gemini.google.com and typing "AI science successes" to see them, but suffice it to say that you have no idea what you are talking about. You remind me of all of the people in 1983 that "knew" that it was ridiculous to say that there would be a computer in most every home. You are so convinced that AI doesn't work that you are completely ignoring the easily proven fact that it does work, and is being

This is concerning (Score:2)

by AvitarX ( 172628 )

It feels like they're making chips to fuel hype for a thing we all know can't work because physics.

I guess there's probably a huge circular investment with SpaceX or something though?

Re: (Score:2)

by Pinky's Brain ( 1158667 )

Economics, perhaps, not physics.

Re: This is concerning (Score:2)

by AvitarX ( 172628 )

Even excluding launch costs do we have a feasible way to make a space data center work?

I'm sure the physics can work with math, but I'm not convinced something could be built to maintain orbit, capture energy, and then shed the heat with unlimited budget that replaces a medium sized data center.

Re: (Score:2)

by Pinky's Brain ( 1158667 )

As I've said before, the heat the back of the solar panel can reject at reasonable temp (near 100C) is in the same region as the front can generate (not taking into account earth visibility though, too hard for back of envelope). So cooling seems the easier problem. Capturing energy is just a question of more light weight (flexible) panels and a polar orbit for non stop sunshine.

LEO with never seen before surface area to weight ratios might be an issue.

Re: (Score:2)

by rossdee ( 243626 )

Polar orbit costs more to get it there (deltaV) and it would have to be higher than LEO.

Also what about maintenance and upgrades?

Re: (Score:2)

by DamnOregonian ( 963763 )

I don't know who this "we all" is, but they're quite wrong.

It's more efficient to run a datacenter in space, in terms of cooling and power. The only question is whether or not it makes economic sense after also factoring in that it's.... well, in space... and more importantly, it needs to get to space.

This means the economics are pinned to launch costs.

To make sense, current launch costs need to be reduced to about a twentieth of what they are now. Can SpaceX do it? Who knows. I'm not personally betting

Re: (Score:2)

by Racemaniac ( 1099281 )

Please, explain to us how cooling in space is more efficient (without a medium like air or water surrounding you to put your heat into and get it away from your server).

Re: (Score:2)

by h33t l4x0r ( 4107715 )

Don't worry, guys. They've got lots of great engineers working on it.

They missed the obvious solution! (Score:1)

by GreyViking ( 3606993 )

and so we have to figure out how to cool these systems out in space, but we've got lots of great engineers working on it." Why don't they just ask AI? They obviously don't have much faith in their product. ;)

Huang: stop with the LSD, NOW (Score:2)

by gtall ( 79522 )

"Space computing, the final frontier, has arrived" Too bad we don't get to see him jumping around a stage in a Star Trek uniform.

I miss the Monkey Boy Dance from Steve Ballmer: [1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com].

Elmo cannot hold a candle to him: [2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com].

And we should give la Presidenta honorable....well, nothing about him is honorable....let's just leave it at mention: [3]https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com].

These guys need to form a dance troupe behind Huang when he goes into orbit on hi

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrhoOHNOrI

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0sJJU3FaOQ

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zph7YXfjMhg

Bullshit (Score:2)

by locater16 ( 2326718 )

I have announced Oxygen+. Better than stale old oxygen, I've re-engineered it for the future of breathing. Better, faster, stronger, and since "old" communist deployed oxygen suddenly seems to be running low as of late you'd better take out a lifetime subscription now, as you could certainly be caught dead without Oxygen+!

I don't think he is talking about satellite level (Score:2)

by Pinky's Brain ( 1158667 )

They don't make satellites.

Their problem is probably more making lightweight boiling refrigerant based cooling blocks which can keep the their system cool in a vacuum, including PCB, connectors, cables, etc. Dumping the heat from refrigerant to space is not their problem.

Re: (Score:2)

by boner ( 27505 )

Have they even considered how much radiation hardening they need - even though they will still operate within the Van Allen belt, the increased radiation is a serious concern.

The Least Perceptive Literary Critic
The most important critic in our field of study is Lord Halifax. A
most individual judge of poetry, he once invited Alexander Pope round to
give a public reading of his latest poem.
Pope, the leading poet of his day, was greatly surprised when Lord
Halifax stopped him four or five times and said, "I beg your pardon, Mr.
Pope, but there is something in that passage that does not quite please me."
Pope was rendered speechless, as this fine critic suggested sizeable
and unwise emendations to his latest masterpiece. "Be so good as to mark
the place and consider at your leisure. I'm sure you can give it a better
turn."
After the reading, a good friend of Lord Halifax, a certain Dr.
Garth, took the stunned Pope to one side. "There is no need to touch the
lines," he said. "All you need do is leave them just as they are, call on
Lord Halifax two or three months hence, thank him for his kind observation
on those passages, and then read them to him as altered. I have known him
much longer than you have, and will be answerable for the event."
Pope took his advice, called on Lord Halifax and read the poem
exactly as it was before. His unique critical faculties had lost none of
their edge. "Ay", he commented, "now they are perfectly right. Nothing can
be better."
-- Stephen Pile, "The Book of Heroic Failures"