# The 17x Problem: TakeMe2Space Orbital Data Center Dream Has a Launch-Cost Gap

- slug: the-17x-problem-takeme2space-orbital-data-center-dream-has-a-launch-cost-gap
- date: 2026-04-17
- category: Space & Aerospace

TakeMe2Space has 17 employees and a cubesat bolted to its launch vehicle. To make a 50kW orbital data center pencil out, launch costs must drop 17x — from $3,600/kg to $200/kg. Starship is the bet. The $5M seed round is not the capital stack for that bet.

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