面向星上算力中心的太赫兹通信技术：需求与挑战

摘要：将算力部署于轨道平台的“星上算力中心（ODC）”是重要发展方向。星上算力的价值取决于数据在轨、星间与星地间的高速流动能力——通信而非计算本身，成为太空算力关键使能要素。本文梳理星上算力中心的内涵、运行模式与驱动因素，对比欧美与中国进展，量化其星间/星地高速互联需求，论证太赫兹（THz）通信凭借超大带宽、小型化与准全天候特性，填补微波容量不足、激光受天气制约的技术空白，构成空间通信的重要技术路线，并剖析其在空间应用中面临的大气吸收、高功率器件、波束捕获跟踪与标准化四大难题。

关键词：星上算力中心；轨道边缘计算；太赫兹通信；星间链路；星地链路

Abstract: Deploying computing power onto orbital platforms—the “orbital data center (ODC)”—is emerging as an important development direction. Yet the real value of in-orbit compute hinges on high-speed mobility of data across space, inter-satellite and space-to-ground links; communication, rather than computation, is the lifeline of space-based computing. This paper systematically reviews the concept, operation modes and driving forces of the on-orbit computing center, compares its progress in Europe, the United States and China,, and quantifies the requirements for ultra-high-speed inter-satellite/space-to-ground interconnects. It then argues that terahertz (THz) communications—with ultra-wide bandwidth, miniaturization and quasi-all-weather penetration—precisely fills the gap left by capacity-limited microwave and weather-sensitive laser links, forming an important technical route of heterogeneous space networks, and dissects four key challenges: atmospheric absorption, high-power devices, beam acquisition/tracking and standardization.

Keywords: orbital data center; orbital edge computing; terahertz communications; inter-satellite link; space-to-ground link