Part 5/10:
Cooling — a critical component in data processing — presents unique challenges in space. On Earth, processors are cooled efficiently by airflow across equipment or via liquid cooling systems. Space, however, lacks an atmosphere, rendering convection impossible. While radiative cooling remains feasible, it requires large surface areas to dissipate heat effectively. Systems must either use radiative panels to radiate heat into space or circulate refrigerants like ammonia to transfer heat to radiators, complicating the design. As a result, the advantage of space’s cold environment is less significant than it appears at first glance.