SPACE/COSMOS
By Paul Wallis
EDITOR AT LARGE
DIGITAL JOURNAL
March 16, 2026
Beijing, which has poured huge resources into its space programme to catch up with the United States and Russia, is aiming to put humans on the Moon by 2030 - Copyright AFP KARIM JAAFAR
If there’s one thing Australia does far worse than just about any other country, it’s publicizing its science. Australia’s first Moon rover is no exception. I hadn’t heard of it myself.
It’s called Roover because it’s Australian, and it is quite a hop to the Moon. It’s small, painstakingly built to scale, and it has the advantage of current technology. It’s not an El Cheapo exercise. This mission is all about functionality.
The Australian Space Agency has put together some useful information regarding the rover. This is a major step forward and outwards for the long-suffering Australian space sector. Finally, some budget is getting into the mix.
Leaving out the sheer strategic ignorance, ineptitude, and idiocy of putting our space tech on the back burner for so long, this is a must for Australia with many tangible rewards. There are some huge positives already appearing in the new generation approach.
The Australian nanosatellite SpiRIT made its point over a grueling 25 months in orbit recently. The satellite successfully completed an X-ray research mission in the process.
The new space research and exploration environment is totally different from the 20th century. Cost efficiencies and science are very much on the same page. The Australian programs are reflecting this move to pure mission realities.
There’s a preliminary point to be made here.
A gigantic old-style space infrastructure can also build in heritage inefficiencies and instant redundancies on all levels. The never-sufficiently-reviled, absurdly dangerous orbital junkyard is a good example of big mistakes.
OK, the old tech didn’t have much choice about what it could send up, but the mismanagement is unforgivable. If nanosatellites can do these jobs, they can replace the museum up there with better functionality and much better tech. The next generation will be much easier to manage and far less dangerous.
The science is fascinating, but underpinning the science is sheer unambiguous realism. Space is about to become big business in more ways than just sending up missions. With the new missions come new tech, new materials, new AI science, and a virtual encyclopaedia of opportunities for human advancement.
This is where Australia is definitely getting it right in more ways than one. The new Moon rover is built to deliver real value on a realistic, sustainable scale. The nanosatellites could be the most useful peripherals ever mounted in space, both around Earth and the rest of the solar system.
This new tech is rewriting the script. No more logistical hernias. New research doesn’t have to carry the can for sheer bulk and mass. Experimentation becomes more affordable and easier to do. Commitments of money, time, and resources become less onerous.
It’s getting hyper-competitive up there. The Chinese space program alone is breaking barriers on a routine basis. The European Space Agency is delivering a spread of science and tech that continues to expand both the range and scope of missions. If America finally overcomes its moronic opposition to its own greatest achievements, things could get interesting.
The intellectual property values of these technologies cannot be overstated. Just as the original space programs before them, the new space science will inevitably return to Earth in any and every consumer form, from frying pans to robots able to explore a teenager’s room.
Once a jolly swag-rover camped by a valley on Mars? Yeah, it’ll happen.
Well done, all. This could be fun.
March 16, 2026
Beijing, which has poured huge resources into its space programme to catch up with the United States and Russia, is aiming to put humans on the Moon by 2030 - Copyright AFP KARIM JAAFAR
If there’s one thing Australia does far worse than just about any other country, it’s publicizing its science. Australia’s first Moon rover is no exception. I hadn’t heard of it myself.
It’s called Roover because it’s Australian, and it is quite a hop to the Moon. It’s small, painstakingly built to scale, and it has the advantage of current technology. It’s not an El Cheapo exercise. This mission is all about functionality.
The Australian Space Agency has put together some useful information regarding the rover. This is a major step forward and outwards for the long-suffering Australian space sector. Finally, some budget is getting into the mix.
Leaving out the sheer strategic ignorance, ineptitude, and idiocy of putting our space tech on the back burner for so long, this is a must for Australia with many tangible rewards. There are some huge positives already appearing in the new generation approach.
The Australian nanosatellite SpiRIT made its point over a grueling 25 months in orbit recently. The satellite successfully completed an X-ray research mission in the process.
The new space research and exploration environment is totally different from the 20th century. Cost efficiencies and science are very much on the same page. The Australian programs are reflecting this move to pure mission realities.
There’s a preliminary point to be made here.
A gigantic old-style space infrastructure can also build in heritage inefficiencies and instant redundancies on all levels. The never-sufficiently-reviled, absurdly dangerous orbital junkyard is a good example of big mistakes.
OK, the old tech didn’t have much choice about what it could send up, but the mismanagement is unforgivable. If nanosatellites can do these jobs, they can replace the museum up there with better functionality and much better tech. The next generation will be much easier to manage and far less dangerous.
The science is fascinating, but underpinning the science is sheer unambiguous realism. Space is about to become big business in more ways than just sending up missions. With the new missions come new tech, new materials, new AI science, and a virtual encyclopaedia of opportunities for human advancement.
This is where Australia is definitely getting it right in more ways than one. The new Moon rover is built to deliver real value on a realistic, sustainable scale. The nanosatellites could be the most useful peripherals ever mounted in space, both around Earth and the rest of the solar system.
This new tech is rewriting the script. No more logistical hernias. New research doesn’t have to carry the can for sheer bulk and mass. Experimentation becomes more affordable and easier to do. Commitments of money, time, and resources become less onerous.
It’s getting hyper-competitive up there. The Chinese space program alone is breaking barriers on a routine basis. The European Space Agency is delivering a spread of science and tech that continues to expand both the range and scope of missions. If America finally overcomes its moronic opposition to its own greatest achievements, things could get interesting.
The intellectual property values of these technologies cannot be overstated. Just as the original space programs before them, the new space science will inevitably return to Earth in any and every consumer form, from frying pans to robots able to explore a teenager’s room.
Once a jolly swag-rover camped by a valley on Mars? Yeah, it’ll happen.
Well done, all. This could be fun.
_________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members
Nvidia making AI module for outer space
By AFP
March 16, 2026
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says artificial intelligence powered by the company's graphics processing units is quickly infusing nearly everything from Disney character robots to data centers that may one day be orbiting the planet - Copyright AFP JOSH EDELSON
Nvidia chief Jensen Huang on Monday said the leading artificial intelligence chip maker is heading for space with a goal of powering orbiting data centers.
An Nvidia graphics processing unit (GPU) was launched into space late last year by startup Starcloud in what was touted as an off-planet debut for the technology, but now Nvidia is creating a module intended as a building block for data centers there.
“We’re working with our partners on a new computer called Vera Rubin Space One,” Huang said as he kicked off the GPU-maker’s annual developers conference in Silicon Valley.
“It’s going to go out to space and start data centers.”
Partners in the project include Starcloud, which is planning a November satellite launch that will mark the “cosmic debut” of the new Nvidia module.
A Starcloud-1 satellite, about the size of a small refrigerator, is expected to be packed with 100 times more computing power than any previous space-based operation.
“In 10 years, nearly all new data centers will be being built in outer space,” predicted Starcloud co-founder and chief Philip Johnston.
The startup explained that it plans to power Google AI with the Nvidia GPUs to show that large language models can run in outer space.
Nvidia described the Vera Rubin module as being optimized for AI, enabling real-time sensing, decision making, and autonomous functioning.
“Space computing, the final frontier, has arrived,” Huang said.
“With our partners, we’re extending Nvidia beyond our planet — boldly taking intelligence where it’s never gone before.”
Tech firms are floating the idea of building data centers in space and tapping into the sun’s energy to meet out-of-this-world power demands in a fierce artificial intelligence race.
More than a dozen startups, aerospace leaders, and major tech firms are involved in the development, testing, or planning of space-based data centers.
The big draw of space for data centers is power supply, with the option of synchronizing satellites to the sun’s orbit to ensure constant light beaming onto solar panels.
Building in space also avoids the challenges of acquiring land and meeting local regulations or community resistance to projects.
Critical technical aspects of such operations need to be resolved, however, particularly damage to the orbiting data centers from high levels of radiation and extreme temperatures, and the danger of them being hit by space junk.
By AFP
March 16, 2026
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says artificial intelligence powered by the company's graphics processing units is quickly infusing nearly everything from Disney character robots to data centers that may one day be orbiting the planet - Copyright AFP JOSH EDELSON
Nvidia chief Jensen Huang on Monday said the leading artificial intelligence chip maker is heading for space with a goal of powering orbiting data centers.
An Nvidia graphics processing unit (GPU) was launched into space late last year by startup Starcloud in what was touted as an off-planet debut for the technology, but now Nvidia is creating a module intended as a building block for data centers there.
“We’re working with our partners on a new computer called Vera Rubin Space One,” Huang said as he kicked off the GPU-maker’s annual developers conference in Silicon Valley.
“It’s going to go out to space and start data centers.”
Partners in the project include Starcloud, which is planning a November satellite launch that will mark the “cosmic debut” of the new Nvidia module.
A Starcloud-1 satellite, about the size of a small refrigerator, is expected to be packed with 100 times more computing power than any previous space-based operation.
“In 10 years, nearly all new data centers will be being built in outer space,” predicted Starcloud co-founder and chief Philip Johnston.
The startup explained that it plans to power Google AI with the Nvidia GPUs to show that large language models can run in outer space.
Nvidia described the Vera Rubin module as being optimized for AI, enabling real-time sensing, decision making, and autonomous functioning.
“Space computing, the final frontier, has arrived,” Huang said.
“With our partners, we’re extending Nvidia beyond our planet — boldly taking intelligence where it’s never gone before.”
Tech firms are floating the idea of building data centers in space and tapping into the sun’s energy to meet out-of-this-world power demands in a fierce artificial intelligence race.
More than a dozen startups, aerospace leaders, and major tech firms are involved in the development, testing, or planning of space-based data centers.
The big draw of space for data centers is power supply, with the option of synchronizing satellites to the sun’s orbit to ensure constant light beaming onto solar panels.
Building in space also avoids the challenges of acquiring land and meeting local regulations or community resistance to projects.
Critical technical aspects of such operations need to be resolved, however, particularly damage to the orbiting data centers from high levels of radiation and extreme temperatures, and the danger of them being hit by space junk.
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