Nvidia At its GTC 2026 conference on Monday, it announced the launch of computing platforms for orbital data centers, a highly anticipated next step for artificial intelligence in space.
“Space computing is the final frontier,” said CEO Jensen Huang. “As we deploy satellite constellations and explore deep into space, intelligence must reside wherever data is generated.”
In a press release, the company said the Vera Rubin Space-1 module, which includes the IGX Thor and Jetson Orin, will be used in multiple company-led space missions. The chips are specifically designed for “size-, weight- and power-constrained environments.”
Partners include Axiom Space, Starcloud and the 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, only radiation,” Huang said during his GTC keynote, “so we have to figure out how to cool these systems in space, but we’ve got a lot of great engineers working on that.”
Data center buildout to power AI demand has been blamed for rising electricity costs. Sending orbital data centers into space is seen as a solution, but high costs and low availability of rocket launches remain barriers.
Still, AI companies are racing to harness space’s virtually unlimited solar energy. In November, Google announced its ‘Project Suncatcher’ initiative to explore the concept of computing in space.
Elon Musk’s xAI was acquired by SpaceX last month in a $1.25 trillion deal. The company is one of Nvidia’s largest customers.
SpaceX asked the Federal Communications Commission in January for approval to launch 1 million satellites to AI centers, a plan scientists have opposed for environmental threats including light pollution and orbital debris.
CNBC’s Laura Kolodny contributed to this report.
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