How Solar Energy will Power Data Centres in Space

PowerBank Corporation and Smartlink AI, the company behind Orbit AI, have revealed their intention to deploy what could become the world's first "Orbital Cloud".

This is a system of solar-powered data centres and decentralised communications infrastructure operating in low Earth orbit (LEO).

The initial satellite, DeStarlink Genesis-1, has a scheduled launch date in December 2025.

The initiative brings together three fundamental technologies: decentralised LEO network DeStarlink, orbital AI data centres DeStarAI and blockchain-powered verification nodes.

These components are combined into a single orbital platform powered by solar energy, designed to deliver compute, communication and blockchain verification capabilities beyond what terrestrial infrastructure can offer.

Dr Richard Lu, CEO of PowerBank, says: “The next frontier of human innovation isn’t just in space exploration, it’s in building the infrastructure of tomorrow above the Earth.​​​​​​​

“The combined markets for orbital satellites, in-orbit data centres, blockchain verification and solar-powered digital infrastructure are projected to exceed US$700bn over the next decade. 

“By integrating solar energy with orbital computing, PowerBank is helping create a globally sovereign, AI-enabled digital layer in space, which is a system that can help power finance, communications and critical infrastructure.”

Solar-Powered orbital computing platform

Orbit AI is developing the Orbital Cloud with the intention of running compute and verification processes entirely from space.

DeStarlink establishes the decentralised communications layer whilst DeStarAI manages the AI workload.

These systems are supported by solar arrays and utilise space's natural environment for cooling, positioning energy efficiency as a central characteristic.

Through this collaboration, PowerBank supplies the solar energy systems and thermal control solutions required to power the satellite's execution layer.

Gus Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Smartlink AI, says: “Orbit AI is creating the first truly intelligent layer in orbit — satellites that compute, verify and optimise themselves autonomously.

“The Orbital Cloud turns space into a platform for AI, blockchain and global connectivity. By leveraging solar-powered compute payloads and decentralised verification nodes, we are opening an entirely new potentially US$700bn+ dollar market opportunity – one that combines energy, data and sovereignty to reshape industries from finance to government and Web3. 

"PowerBank’s expertise in advanced solar energy systems will be significant in supporting this initiative.”

Genesis-1 launch

Genesis-1, the project's first satellite, features a blockchain node and Ethereum wallet alongside initial AI inference capabilities.

The roadmap anticipates five to eight additional satellites launching throughout 2026, with full-scale constellation deployment and commercial service availability projected between 2027 and 2028.

Autonomous governance and expanded orbital operations are scheduled to occur between 2028 and 2030.

The orbital infrastructure has been designed to function independently from terrestrial data centres, potentially avoiding geopolitical and network constraints whilst benefiting from uninterrupted solar exposure.

Orbital Cloud's capabilities could include solar-powered compute, decentralised blockchain verification and resilient communications, all delivered outside of Earth's atmosphere.

As Jeff Bezos commented at Italian Tech Week in Turin, October 2025: “We will be able to beat the cost of terrestrial data centres in space in the next couple of decades. 

“These giant training clusters will be better built in space, because we have solar power there, 24/7 –  no clouds, no rain, no weather. 

“It has already happened with weather and communication satellites. The next step is going to be data centres and then other kinds of manufacturing.”

A US$700bn market opportunity

The Orbital Cloud targets multiple overlapping sectors.

According to forecasts, the global satellite market could reach US$615bn by 2032, with in-orbit data centres potentially growing from US$1.77bn in 2029 to US$39.1bn by 2035.

Satellite data services are projected to expand from approximately US$12.16bn in 2024 to US$55.24bn by 2034.

Combined, these segments suggest a total market opportunity exceeding US$700bn in the coming decade.

PowerBank has outlined plans for an initial investment of US$50,000 in Orbit AI with an option to increase its stake up to US$10m for 20% equity, subject to final terms and Orbit AI approval, ahead of the Genesis-1 launch.