A $5 million financing round backs Orbital’s plan to launch 10,000 data centers in orbit.
Orbital, founded by ex‑Spin CEO Euwyn Poon, closed the round this week. The capital will cover hardware development, launch contracts and early testing of modular units that fit inside small satellite payloads. Poon’s team aims to ship the first prototype by late 2027, targeting customers that need low‑latency compute for edge AI.
If the venture works, it could sidestep the cooling and real‑estate costs that bind terrestrial farms. Space‑based racks also promise consistent exposure to solar power, reducing reliance on grid electricity. The market for low‑orbit compute is still speculative, but satellite operators have shown interest in renting compute as a service.
The idea feels like an extension of the e‑scooter play‑book—mass‑produced hardware, aggressive scaling, and a bet on a niche that may never materialise.