Key Highlights

  • Nvidia-backed Starcloud has scheduled Bitcoin mining ASIC deployment on its second spacecraft for late 2026
  • CEO Philip Johnston highlights Bitcoin ASICs require approximately $1,000 per kilowatt compared to $30,000 for GPU systems
  • The company has submitted FCC applications to deploy 88,000 satellites as part of its orbital data center network using solar power
  • Johnston predicts Bitcoin mining operations will transition to space environments because of terrestrial energy constraints
  • Mining difficulty metrics have decreased 7% since reaching peak levels in November, providing modest relief to miners

Starcloud, a US-based space technology venture, has announced plans to deploy Bitcoin mining equipment in orbit during 2026, positioning itself to achieve the historic milestone of becoming the first entity to mine cryptocurrency from space.

CEO Philip Johnston revealed the initiative during a Thursday video conversation with HyperChange, later reiterating the announcement on X throughout the weekend.

According to Johnston, the company intends to integrate Bitcoin mining ASICs — specialized application-specific integrated circuits — aboard its upcoming second spacecraft, with launch operations scheduled for the latter portion of 2026.

The company began operations in early 2024 with a mission focused on establishing orbital data centers designed to address the expanding energy requirements associated with artificial intelligence computing.

During November 2025, Starcloud successfully deployed a satellite equipped with an Nvidia H100 GPU into Earth’s orbit, achieving a milestone as the first instance of such advanced GPU technology functioning in space conditions. Johnston subsequently disclosed that one among five GPUs aboard that satellite had experienced responsiveness issues prior to launch.

Additionally, the company has submitted regulatory documentation to the FCC seeking approval for operating 88,000 satellites as part of its constellation. Solar energy serves as the primary power source for these orbital data facilities.

The Economic Advantage of ASICs for Orbital Operations

Johnston explains that Bitcoin mining equipment presents superior economics for space deployment when compared to AI-focused GPU technology, primarily driven by cost considerations.

“A 1-kilowatt B200 chip, it might cost $30,000. A 1-kilowatt ASIC is like $1,000,” he said. That makes ASICs roughly 30 times cheaper per kilowatt than GPUs.

He emphasized that Bitcoin’s present energy consumption — maintaining approximately 20 gigawatts on a continuous basis — creates substantial challenges for sustaining all mining activities on Earth over extended timeframes.

Johnston acknowledged that profitability models for space-based Bitcoin mining remain unproven at this stage. Mining revenue can diminish rapidly when newer, higher-efficiency equipment enters the market.

Intercosmic Energy represents another organization developing Bitcoin mining capabilities for space environments, indicating Starcloud faces competition in this emerging sector.

Current Bitcoin Mining Landscape

Bitcoin’s market value has declined approximately 48% from its peak of $126,080 recorded on October 6, 2025, creating pressure on mining operations’ profit margins.

Mining difficulty measurements have fallen 7% from November’s record of 155.9 trillion units to roughly 145 trillion currently, offering miners modest operational relief.

In related developments, entrepreneurs Jose and Carlos Puente have introduced a concept for transmitting Bitcoin transactions to Mars through optical communication links combined with an innovative interplanetary timestamping mechanism. Their research indicates that conducting actual Bitcoin mining on Mars faces significant challenges due to signal transmission delays between the two planets.

Starcloud has confirmed its second spacecraft mission, carrying the Bitcoin mining ASICs, remains on schedule for launch during 2026.