Intel's proposed orbital data centers would manage thousands of simple LEO satellites —two-tier network puts the brains of satellite constellations in higher orbit

Intel has filed a patent application outlining a novel orbital data center concept, published on August 6th by Patentlyze. The architecture involves a two-tier satellite network, with powerful satellites in higher orbits managing vast constellations of simpler low-Earth orbit satellites. This proposed system seeks to offload a significant amount of computing and constellation coordination from ground-based data centers to space-based stations, potentially streamlining satellite network operations.

According to the application, the powerful satellites would be positioned in higher orbits like Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), or highly elliptical orbits. They would maintain a broader view of the LEO constellation and handle tasks like routing, mission planning, and network coordination. While this concept echoes the ideas of companies such as SpaceX and Google, who aim to bring AI compute into low-Earth orbit, Intel's design is distinct as it primarily focuses on serving the satellite network itself rather than running AI workloads in space.

Intel's proposed design does not entirely eliminate the need for ground stations but keeps satellite network control processing in space. The patent filing does not confirm whether Intel is actively developing the satellites.