Search results for Project SunCatcher
Industry
Google sends satellite carrying TPU into space; launch costs key
Google has sent a demonstration satellite carrying its TPU chip into space for the first time to test an orbital data centre concept. The Planet Labs-built satellite will check whether the TPU can operate in space, including continuous 1 kW power supply, chip cooling and errors while running models. The company’s longer-term plan envisions 81 satellites flying in formation for parallel computing, but it says the concept requires significantly lower launch costs.
AI & Enterprise
Google to send four AI chips into space, first \'space data centre\' test set for Oct. 1
Google will launch a low-Earth orbit satellite on Oct. 1 carrying four Tensor Processing Units as the first orbital test under Project Suncatcher, aimed at building AI data centres in space. The company will test whether the chips can withstand launch forces, radiation and cooling limits in vacuum conditions. The satellite will run on about 1 kilowatt of solar power, operate for about a year and remain in orbit for up to six years.
AI & Enterprise
Tech Inside: Sci-fi turns real as ambitious space AI data centre plans take shape
Big Tech companies are accelerating efforts to use solar energy from space satellites for AI computing on Earth. Elon Musk has refocused SpaceX strategy on operating AI data centres in orbit, while Blue Origin is stressing a similar vision. Google is in talks with SpaceX and others on Project SunCatcher to build an orbital AI cloud using solar-powered satellites with TPUs. Reports cite obstacles including radiation, costs, cooling and data links.