Traditional data centers account for about 1% of global electricity consumption and up to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions – with an expected 50% increase in their electrical footprint by 2025.

In collaboration with Lonestar Data Holdings, BIG designed a 3D-printed data center to travel to the Moon on a future NASA space mission – marking the first time that data will be stored on the Moon and signifying the initial step in space becoming a recognized home for data management.

The equipment – nicknamed the Freedom Payload and measuring 26 x 17 cm – can store up to eight terabytes of data and will be entirely solar-powered. The device is designed to feature the profiles of two U.S. astronauts – Charlie Duke and Nicole Stott – whose faces will cast changing shadows on the Moon throughout the day.

The space mission will last one Moon day, the equivalent to 14 Earth days. The data center will rely on solar energy during the lunar day and will cease operation at lunar nightfall, while the profiles of Duke and Stott continue to leave an everlasting shadow on the surface of the Moon.

The Lonestar Data Center represents both everything that humanity has accomplished in space and how much more opportunity exists. By storing data on the Moon, we can create a greener future here on Earth.