Did anyone at and point say it's technically impossible? There's been computers in space since the 60s after all.
replyIt's just far out research experiment like another commented quoted from the text: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49834746
You need to hang out at ArsTechnica more.
replyBut even in this comment stream there are tons of people saying the cooling problem is insurmountable.
I think one of the reasons for putting these in space is to move them beyond the borders of any national control.
replyWhat does it matter where physically computers are located? If the owners can be imprisoned in US, the will cooperate with US government.
replySurely if this were the reason, you'd just put it in international waters?
replyYou can't launch from the US without the federal government giving you permission. And SpaceX does not have (nor are they planning) any launch pads outside the US. [And because of ITAR, I'm not even sure they'd be allowed to build one.]
replyHowever, I do think avoiding local control (state/city permits) is a reason for this.
Rocket Lab has launch pads in New Zealand.
reply> (nor are they planning)
replyNot true