Voyager CEO flags key challenge for space data centers

Voyager Technologies is pushing the frontier of space-based data centers, but CEO Dylan Taylor has cautioned that timelines remain ambitious. Speaking to CNBC, Taylor described a two-year rollout as “aggressive” and highlighted that effective cooling in space is still a key hurdle.

“It's counterintuitive, but cooling in space is difficult because there’s no medium to transfer heat,” Taylor explained. “All heat dissipation has to happen via radiation, meaning you need radiators pointing away from the Sun.”

Voyager, which went public in June, is known for its Starlab project, designed to replace the International Space Station, expected to retire in 2030. The company is collaborating with Palantir, Airbus, and Mitsubishi, and already has a cloud compute device aboard the ISS.

Taylor emphasized that despite technical challenges, Voyager remains confident in the technology and its potential to process data in orbit.

Investor interest in space tech has grown recently, buoyed by high-profile developments including SpaceX’s initiatives and government support for space programs. However, the sector has faced volatility, with Voyager’s stock losing more than half of its value since its debut.

“While the path isn’t always smooth, we believe the technology will mature and that Voyager can lead the charge on space-based data processing,” Taylor said.