Starcloud asks the FCC to license a data center in orbit for training AI

FCC IBFS · SAT-LOA-20260202-00073 · License application · 2026-02-02

Starcloud, Inc. is asking the FCC for permission to put a data center in orbit, and it is not thinking small. The company's February 2, 2026 license application describes a constellation built to "operate as a distributed datacenter to train and operate artificial intelligence ('AI') models," and states an intent to eventually deploy "up to 88,000 satellites" between 600 and 850 km in sun-synchronous orbit. The argument for going to space rather than building on the ground is physical: "near-constant solar power, radiative cooling, and the ability to scale sizes and power levels not possible on earth," with the satellites linked by laser.

Starcloud says it holds $13.1 billion in letters of interest from cloud operators. This is still an early-stage license request, and the constellation would rely on third-party networks to reach users on the ground.

"Orbital datacenters are the only truly scalable way to meet the ever-accelerating demand for electricity to meet the coming demands for AI compute"

— Starcloud, FCC license application

Sources: FCC IBFS application → · Orbit Sentinel

Filed underOrbital DatacenterIn Space ComputingAiStarcloudNGSOFCC

Questions & answers

What is Starcloud applying to do?
To launch and operate a constellation of satellites that function as a distributed data center in orbit, to train and run artificial intelligence models and other cloud computing services.
How big is the system Starcloud describes?
The application states an intent to eventually deploy up to 88,000 satellites operating between 600 and 850 km in sun-synchronous orbit.
Why put a data center in space?
The filing argues space offers near-constant solar power, radiative cooling, and the ability to scale sizes and power levels not possible on Earth.