The insatiable appetite for AI compute has seen data centers look skywards. But with limited rocket launches and high costs, entrepreneurs are turning to unconventional solutions.

Baiju Bhatt, CEO of Cowboy Space Corporation, is betting on building his own rockets to launch space data centers. The company raised $275 million in a Series B round and expects its first launch by the end of 2028.

The shift towards rocket development was driven by the lack of available launches that could support their orbital data center business. Bhatt asserts there is room for multiple players to succeed, given the growing demand for AI compute and limited terrestrial options.

By incorporating data centers directly into the second stage of its rockets, Cowboy Space hopes to simplify design processes. Each satellite will be capable of generating 1 MW of power for nearly 800 onboard GPUs, slightly more powerful than a Falcon 9 but smaller than Starship.

The company has assembled an experienced team and is working on building its own rocket engine. As Bhatt puts it, they're aiming to 'power humanity from the high frontier,' even if that means wearing a cowboy hat or growing a mustache.