Assuming that we place an iron ball (ideal sphere-shaped and thermal conductivity) on the SSO (solar synchronous orbit), how hot can the object be?

Given the solar constant 1361 W/m^2, you can calculate the temperature range based on the emissivity and absorptivity. With the right shape and “color”, the equilibrium temperature can be cooler than most people thought.

I suppose that a space data center powered 100% by solar is no different than this iron ball in principle.

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eldenring 11 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The ideal shape would be a shaded, flat panel perpendicular to the sun right?

	▲	typ 9 hours ago \| parent [-]
		That should be better than a sphere. Though I imagine there could be some fancier 3D geometry designs. Even for a simple sphere, if we give it different surface roughnesses on the sun-facing side and the "night" side, it can have dramatically different emissivity.

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adastra22 9 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

About 120 degC.