Google to test AI chips in orbit under Project Suncatcher

Google announced on Thursday, September 24, that it will launch a prototype satellite next week to conduct the first orbital test of Project Suncatcher. The initiative explores whether low Earth orbit can host large-scale artificial intelligence processing infrastructure to tap continuous sunlight for energy and bypass terrestrial power grid limits.

The mission will be carried out in partnership with satellite company Planet Labs aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare flight. The prototype satellite carries Google's tensor processing units (TPUs) to evaluate how the hardware withstands launch forces, radiation, and extreme temperatures, as well as whether the chips operate accurately in orbit.

Space radiation can damage electronics and cause data errors known as bit flips. While Google previously tested its TPUs running AI tasks at a University of California, Davis facility, it noted orbital tests are essential. The mission will also evaluate a custom cooling system using heat pipes and radiators, since airflow cooling is impossible in a vacuum.

Google stated this initial mission aims to collect data and identify points of failure rather than demonstrate a fully operational orbital data center. The company plans to launch two satellites in 2027 to test high-bandwidth laser links needed to network future orbital computing clusters.