# Computing in the Cosmos: Sophia Space's Mission to Move Data Centers Into Orbit

- Show: [Over the Air](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air)
- Published: 2025-07-24
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/over-the-air/episodes/Computing-in-the-Cosmos-Sophia-Spaces-Mission-to-Move-Data-Centers-Into-Orbit-e35u4bo

## Summary

Rob DeMillo, CEO of Sophia Space, explains the company's mission to deploy orbital data centers, starting with modular 'tiles' for edge computing before scaling to full 'string of pearls' configurations. He details the thermal engineering of these one-meter compute units, which leverage the 4 Kelvin vacuum of space for efficient heat dissipation without moving parts. DeMillo also discusses the operational challenges of self-managed hardware in orbit, the current state of space debris, and his predictions for commercial space activity, including asteroid mining and robotic Mars exploration.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=8) Introduction: Rob DeMillo and Sophia Space Overview
- [1:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=68) Product Strategy: Tiles and String of Pearls Architecture
- [2:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=151) Use Cases: Edge Computing for Satellite Data Processing
- [3:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=231) Space Debris and the LEO Economy
- [8:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=490) Thermal Engineering: 4 Kelvin Heat Dissipation
- [12:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=725) Autonomous Operations and Self-Management
- [15:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-07-24-computing-in-the-cosmos-sophia-spaces-mission-to-move-data-centers-into-orbit#t=944) Future of Space: Mars, Asteroids, and Commercial Drivers

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Sophia Space (company)
- Mandela Space Ventures (company)
- Starlink (product)
- JPL (other)
- Skylab (other)
- Hubble (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 117: Robots in orbit - Jeremy Hadall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-11-episode-117-robots-in-orbit-jeremy-hadall) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 100: Robots in space - Mini Rai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-29-episode-100-robots-in-space-mini-rai) (Robot Talk)
- [153: Space Nerf Gun](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-25-153-space-nerf-gun) (Embedded.fm)
- [25. Solar Sailing, Preventing Cyber Attacks, Space Trash Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-07-06-25-solar-sailing-preventing-cyber-attacks-space-trash-robot) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [S1E03 This ain’t your grandma’s cooling technology | David Binger](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-01-s1e03-this-aint-your-grandmas-cooling-technology-david-binger) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

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