Starcloud Plans World’s First Space-Based Bitcoin Mining Project This Year

Starcloud, an Nvidia-backed space data center startup, aims to move energy-intensive computing into orbit, using solar power and space-based cooling conditions to ease pressure on terrestrial power grids. Bitcoin mining has long faced criticism over its electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Stable operation of ASICs in orbit would validate commercial uses for space data centers beyond AI computing.

CEO Philip Johnston said Starcloud plans to launch its second spacecraft later in 2026 carrying ASIC mining machines, with the goal of becoming the first company to mine Bitcoin beyond Earth. He said ASICs cost far less than GPUs and argued that mining should ultimately move into space. Starcloud and Nvidia have yet to disclose the investment amount, computing power or exact launch date.