Pretty sure the largest structures on the ISS is a toss-up between the thermal radiators and the solar panels.
So massive expense to generate power and massive expense to dissipate the waste heat. You know, that waste heat that is already causing water issues near data centers on earth in an environment that we have had centuries of experience working in.
The solar panels also contribute a large amount of drag in thin remaining atmosphere at that altitude, requiring periodic reboosts, which requires fuel deliveries. The drag is substantial enough that the ISS rotates its solar panels to be flat during the night half of orbit to minimize it.
Pretty sure the largest structures on the ISS is a toss-up between the thermal radiators and the solar panels.
So massive expense to generate power and massive expense to dissipate the waste heat. You know, that waste heat that is already causing water issues near data centers on earth in an environment that we have had centuries of experience working in.
Elon is tripping balls again
The solar panels also contribute a large amount of drag in thin remaining atmosphere at that altitude, requiring periodic reboosts, which requires fuel deliveries. The drag is substantial enough that the ISS rotates its solar panels to be flat during the night half of orbit to minimize it.