QuixoticgeekFeb 1

There are currently about 12600 satellites in orbit. As a result on average every day 3 fall out of space, dumping metals and other nasties into the upper atmosphere.

If we continue that rate of satellite loss, 1 in 4200, and extrapolate it to 1,000,000. That would be ~238 satellites PER DAY, falling out of the sky and spreading the materials they are made up of in the upper atmosphere. With some more substantial chunks hitting the surface, and possibly people.

That's just bonkers

1/n

Show threadQuixoticgeekFeb 1

This of course completely overlooks all other practicalities of orbital datacentres, that makes putting high power computing in orbit. Which for a summary include: too much radiation noise making the systems unstable (see Wikipedia for "single even upset"), cooling when you have to dump heat into a vacuum, low data bandwidth (compared to a fibre on earth), latency, and shear fucking cost.

It's an absolutely fucking stupid idea. And I'm angry I have to spend my Sunday debunking this shit.

2/2

Show threadQuixoticgeekFeb 1
Postscript: and before the cult of space Karen start with the "so you're an expert in orbital computing this week are you?" Well. One of my first jobs out of uni involved designing an onboard control system for a satellite. My design has literally been to space. I know what I'm talking about on this one.
Show threadDavid GerardFeb 1
@quixoticgeek *space pedo
Show threadQuixoticgeekFeb 1
@davidgerard ????
H3XeFeb 1
Show threadGeorge B

@davidgerard @quixoticgeek

Here's a sample from the latest Epstein emails dump coincidentally on the same day he decided to make a big orbital data center announcement

Feb 1 at 1:10pmWeb
Show threadQuixoticgeekFeb 1
@gbargoud @davidgerard oh right. You know using a whole sentence is a really good way to avoid ambiguity
Show threadGeorge BFeb 1

@davidgerard @quixoticgeek

For such a common pattern, it's surprising that this seems to be the only citation I can easily find for a correcting asterisk:

https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/2337:_Asterisk_Corrections

2337: Asterisk Corrections - explain xkcd

explain xkcd is a wiki dedicated to explaining the webcomic xkcd. Go figure.

Show threadQuixoticgeekFeb 1
@gbargoud @davidgerard it also looks like an accusation. You've 500 characters to use. Use them to be nice.
Show threadDavid GerardFeb 1
@quixoticgeek @gbargoud I would say learn to post
Show threadVery Human RobotFeb 1

@gbargoud @davidgerard @quixoticgeek

deal withthis. thanyou.

Show threadGeorge BFeb 1

@davidgerard @quixoticgeek @StompyRobot

That should be in every comment section for anything he posts for the rest of his life