Our modern world runs on digital data, and artificial intelligence is growing faster than ever before. To keep up, massive computer warehouses called data centers are being built on land all over the globe.
These giant buildings process millions of search queries and run smart programs day and night. They use huge amounts of electricity and water, and they release emissions that add to a warming planet.
Launching data centers into orbit around Earth could make this digital progress sustainable. In this gallery, we explore how building data centers in space could help protect our fragile environment. Click on to learn more.