EU Falls Behind China in Orbital Data Center Race

According to a new analysis by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), China is gaining a significant lead in the development of orbital data centers that could process data directly in space in the future, reports the European Conservative.

The report states that Beijing is combining support from the central government, local authorities and state-owned enterprises, while the European Union continues to focus primarily on research and smaller-scale technology projects.

A key example is the Chinese company ADA Space, which launched the first 12 satellites in 2025 as part of a planned network of approximately 2,800 satellites equipped with computing capacity.

The report's authors warn that if the EU does not accelerate its investments and decision-making, it may become dependent on the space computing capabilities of the United States and China. The document also recommends adopting specific policy measures to support the development of this strategic technology.

(mja)