Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture formed between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has unveiled the promising results of the ASCEND feasibility study (Advanced Space Cloud for European Net zero emission and Data sovereignty). This initiative, launched in 2023 and funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe program, aims to explore the possibility of installing data centers in orbit to help meet the carbon neutrality goals of the European Green Deal by 2050, thus transforming the digital and space ecosystem in Europe.
A Project within Europe’s Reach
The ASCEND feasibility study aimed to compare the environmental impact of space-based data centers with terrestrial centers, as well as confirm the technological feasibility of developing, deploying, and operating such centers in orbit. According to the study results, a launcher emitting ten times less than current ones throughout its lifecycle would be needed to significantly reduce the CO2 emissions required for the storage and processing of digital data. Furthermore, space data centers would not require water for cooling, a key advantage in times of increasing drought.
Collaboration and Technology
For this study, Thales Alenia Space coordinated a European consortium of companies with complementary expertise in environmental aspects (Carbone 4, VITO), cloud services (Orange Business, CloudFerro, Hewlett Packard Enterprise), launchers (ArianeGroup), and orbital systems (the German Aerospace Center DLR, Airbus Defence & Space, and Thales Alenia Space).
The consortium has been able to validate the feasibility of a high-capacity, reusable, and eco-designed launcher, with the contribution of ArianeGroup and the analyses of the ESA’s PROTEIN feasibility study. Modular space infrastructures would be assembled in orbit with the help of robotic technologies from the European Commission’s EROSS IOD (European Robotic Orbital Support Services In Orbit Demonstrator) project, led by Thales Alenia Space, with its first demonstration mission scheduled for 2026. This would allow Europe to regain its leadership in space transportation, logistics, and assembly of large infrastructures in orbit.
Towards European Digital Sovereignty
The ASCEND project, by reducing the environmental footprint of the digital sector and ensuring data security for European citizens and businesses, could contribute to Europe’s digital sovereignty. The data center market in 2030 is estimated to have a capacity of 23 gigawatts; ASCEND aims to deploy one gigawatt by 2050. Furthermore, the study results confirm the economic viability of the project, offering a perspective of a return on investment of several billion euros by 2050.
“The results of the ASCEND study confirm that deploying data centers in space could transform the European digital landscape by offering a more environmentally friendly and sovereign solution for hosting and processing data,” says Christophe Valorge, Chief Technical Officer of Thales Alenia Space. “We are very proud to contribute to an initiative that supports Europe’s carbon neutrality goals and increases Europe’s technological sovereignty.”
Thales Alenia Space and its partners plan to continue the activities of the ASCEND feasibility study to consolidate and optimize their results. At the same time, a paradigm shift in the space sector will be necessary to meet the goals of this project, based on technologies that are well within Europe’s reach.
About Thales Alenia Space
With over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, talent, and cultures, Thales Alenia Space provides efficient solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science, and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private companies alike rely on Thales Alenia Space for the design of satellite systems that enable connectivity and positioning anywhere, monitor our planet, optimize the use of its resources, and explore our solar system and the universe. Thales Alenia Space believes in space as a new horizon, enabling the building of a better and more sustainable life on Earth. Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), also collaborates with Telespazio to form the “Space Alliance” of the two parent companies, offering a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space recorded consolidated revenues of nearly 2.2 billion euros in 2023 and has around 8,600 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and one facility in the United States.
Funded by the European Union. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Executive Agency in the fields of Health and Digital. Neither the European Union nor the European Executive Agency in the fields of Health and Digital can be held responsible for them.