Google to test AI chips in space with satellite launch
Google plans to launch a prototype satellite next week on a SpaceX mission to test its AI chips in low Earth orbit as part of Project Suncatcher.
Google is preparing to launch a prototype satellite into orbit next week to test its artificial intelligence chips. The mission, part of Google's Project Suncatcher, aims to determine if large-scale AI computing infrastructure can operate effectively in low Earth orbit.
The satellite will be deployed on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission. It will carry Google Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to assess how the chips perform under the harsh conditions of space, including launch forces, radiation, extreme temperatures, and cooling requirements. Google has previously conducted ground tests of these processors running AI workloads at the University of California, Davis.
While the test is intended to gather data and identify potential failure points rather than demonstrate an operational orbital data center, AI-powered processing is already in use in space. Satellite operators and government agencies utilize onboard computing for tasks such as image analysis and disaster response.
Looking ahead, Google is also planning a 2027 mission involving two satellites to test high-bandwidth laser communication links.