Starcloud to Launch Space-based Bitcoin Mining Satellite in 2027

Starcloud, Inc., a startup based in Washington, is set to launch a spacecraft designed for Bitcoin mining in orbit. The Starcloud-2 spacecraft will carry ASICs, making the company one of the first to attempt cryptocurrency mining from space.

With solar panels receiving nearly uninterrupted sunlight in space, energy costs—which are significant in Bitcoin mining—would effectively be minimal once the hardware is deployed. Starcloud aims to leverage this advantage, integrating Bitcoin mining into its broader mission of establishing orbital data centers for AI workloads.

Founded in January 2024, Starcloud's inaugural satellite, Starcloud-1, launched on November 2, 2025. This satellite featured a single Nvidia H100 GPU, marking it as the first data center-class GPU to operate in space. The upcoming Starcloud-2 will not only carry ASICs for Bitcoin mining but also Nvidia Blackwell chips and AWS server blades, creating a versatile computing platform above the atmosphere.

Initially scheduled for late 2026, the launch of Starcloud-2 is now anticipated in 2027, as part of a dual-satellite mission. CEO Philip Johnston described the addition of Bitcoin mining capability as both a proof-of-concept and a strategic business decision. The spacecraft will allocate its computational resources based on demand; during high-demand periods for AI workloads, the hardware will handle those tasks, while during lower demand, the ASICs will continue to generate revenue by mining Bitcoin.

Johnston noted that ASICs cost approximately $1,000 per kilowatt, dramatically lower than the $30,000 per kilowatt for high-end GPUs, presenting a compelling case for their inclusion in the solar-powered platform. Despite acknowledging the economic challenges facing the mining industry, he believes the unique advantages of space, particularly the near-continuous solar power, provide a viable niche.

Starcloud successfully closed a $170 million Series A funding round on March 30, 2026, achieving a valuation of $1.1 billion. By August 2026, the company raised an additional $250 million, increasing its total funding to roughly $450 million and elevating its valuation to $2.3 billion. Additionally, in February 2026, Starcloud filed with the FCC to obtain permission for deploying a constellation of up to 88,000 satellites.