Google launches prototype satellite to test AI computing in space
publishers 29articles 35first reported 25 Sep, 10:00 UTCdeveloping since 25 Sep · 19 editions
Google has launched a refrigerator-sized prototype satellite carrying four of its Tensor Processing Units, marking the first in-orbit test for Project Suncatcher, its effort to develop solar-powered AI data centers in space.
The satellite, built with aerospace company Planet, reached orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket launched from California. Once Planet commissions the spacecraft, Google plans to operate the TPUs in 15-minute intervals because of power and heat-management limits. The chips will run a version of Google’s open-weight Gemma model and answer simple queries while the company assesses their performance under the radiation, temperature extremes and physical stresses of spaceflight.
Google said the initial mission is a limited technology demonstration expected to operate for a year. The company plans to launch two more purpose-built satellites next year to test laser communications and more substantial computing workloads.
Project Suncatcher ultimately envisions networks of satellites operating as orbital data centers, with dozens of TPUs aboard each spacecraft and laser links connecting the satellites to one another and to Earth. One proposed configuration would use 81 satellites flying in close formation and processing workloads in parallel.
The project is intended to take advantage of abundant solar energy in orbit as demand for AI computing expands. Google says major technical and economic hurdles remain, including the need for cheaper, higher-capacity rocket launches. Starcloud and SpaceX are also pursuing space-based AI computing projects.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 84 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 29
- Source articles
- 35
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 84 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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