Robinhood Co-Founder Files Plan for 20,000 Satellite Data Centers to Bypass Earth's Grid Bottlenecks

Cowboy Space, an orbital infrastructure startup founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to deploy up to 20,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Named Stampede, this constellation aims to host data center hardware powered by solar energy in space. The initiative addresses critical bottlenecks in terrestrial AI infrastructure, specifically the lengthy grid interconnection queues, permitting delays, and power access issues that hinder rapid data center expansion on Earth. Following a $275 million Series B funding round led by Index Ventures, Cowboy Space argues that while launch costs are high, orbital computing offers a viable workaround for AI companies facing years-long waits for electrical grid connections. The proposal highlights a strategic shift where space serves not just as a communication medium, but as an alternative location for heavy compute loads, leveraging abundant solar power and avoiding terrestrial land and water constraints. This move underscores the growing pressure on global power systems driven by the AI boom, with grid operators like PJM reporting significant demand increases. The project represents a significant bet that orbital infrastructure can outpace terrestrial grid development in meeting the urgent energy needs of artificial intelligence applications.