Footwear startup backed by Reebok co-founder Joe Foster Syntilay has partnered with OrbitsEdge, a company that supports AI and blockchain applications, and Copernic Space, which offers digital marketplaces for space assets, to design a shoe in orbit.

The project will use AI on a satellite, which is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in early 2026.

The satellite will be powered by solar energy and batteries. It will include a computer to automate the shoe design process.

This initiative aims to investigate the feasibility of conducting AI and blockchain operations in space. Such operations may decrease the environmental impact of these activities on Earth.

OrbitsEdge CEO Rick Ward said that the mission seeks to relocate carbon-intensive industries off-planet. This effort aims to alleviate environmental stress on Earth.

Syntilay plans to use the AI-generated design to create 3D shoe models that incorporate various patterns, textures, and shading.

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🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ In-space manufacturing has evolved from science experiment to commercial opportunity

The footwear company’s plan builds on two decades of institutional investment in space-based production capabilities.

NASA has invested over $60 million in more than 20 In-Space Production Applications aimed at demonstrating advanced materials manufacturing in microgravity 1.

The International Space Station has served as a testbed for manufacturing experiments since its inception, with significant breakthroughs in materials science that have commercial applications on Earth 2.

This shift from government-led research to commercial applications reflects a broader trend of businesses exploring economic opportunities in space, with decreasing launch costs making such ventures more viable.

The footwear design project represents a progression from previous space manufacturing experiments that have demonstrated unique material properties achievable only in microgravity.

2️⃣ Environmental claims about space-based computing require rigorous analysis

The article’s central claim that moving AI and blockchain to space could reduce environmental impact merits careful examination.

Training AI models on Earth produces substantial carbon emissions—some popular models generate around 626,000 pounds of CO2, equivalent to 300 round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco 3.

While moving energy-intensive computing off Earth could relieve terrestrial power grids, the environmental cost calculation must include the significant resources required to build, launch, and maintain space infrastructure 4.

Expert Ben Hertz-Shargel correctly identifies a key limitation in the plan: “You still need to build it, assemble it here and then launch it,” highlighting that the full environmental lifecycle assessment is more complex than simply moving power consumption off-planet.

The technology industry’s energy demands continue to grow rapidly, with the ICT sector projected to reach 14% of global emissions by 2040, making alternative solutions increasingly important to explore 3.

3️⃣ Footwear brands consistently leverage cutting-edge technology for product differentiation

This space-designed shoe follows a pattern of footwear companies embracing new technologies to create unique value propositions and marketing narratives.

The 3D-printed footwear market is projected to grow substantially, from $1.72 billion in 2024 to $3.28 billion by 2029, driven by consumer demand for customization and sustainability 5.

Major footwear brands like Nike and Adidas have already invested heavily in technologies including AI design tools, 3D printing, and AR foot scanning to enhance products and consumer experiences 6.

Syntilay’s approach aligns with industry veteran Joe Foster’s observation that they’re “not looking for a big market” but rather creating a distinctive product that consumers will value for its uniqueness—similar to how limited edition and technology-forward footwear often serves as brand positioning rather than volume products.

The integration of space technology into footwear represents the latest chapter in an industry that has consistently embraced technological innovation to drive consumer interest and brand differentiation.

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