“While European actors continue to weigh the development of orbital data centers (ODCs), Chinese institutions and companies are already moving towards implementation,” the report warned. Other Chinese ventures pursuing orbital computing include China Mobile, Comospace, Bailing Aerospace, Orbital Chenguang and Shanghai Xingshu Tiansuan Space Technology Co., which reportedly started deploying a planned 1,000-satellite space-computing network in July. Although Europe has supported several technologies relevant to orbital computing, it has yet to organize them around a large-scale deployment strategy. Its recommendations include:Establishing a flagship European ODC initiative under the EU’s 2028-2034 research program, alongside an expanded European Space Agency push into orbital computing beyond Earth observation and connectivity. Set up a “European ODC Challenge” to support startups tackling the technology’s remaining feasibility barriers.