Google plans two prototype satellites to test AI chips in space

In short: Google is preparing a prototype satellite mission to see if its AI chips can run in orbit, with two test satellites planned by early 2027.

What happened

Google is working on an early engineering test called Project Suncatcher. The idea is to put the company’s AI chips into space and check whether they still work under harsh conditions. Google says this is a learning mission, not a finished product or a new AI service for customers.

The plan is to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027. Google is working with Planet, a company that already operates satellites. After launch, Google will evaluate how the hardware handles radiation, vibration, big temperature swings, and the vacuum of space.

Google also wants to test “TPUs,” which are its in house AI chips (special computer chips built to run AI tasks). Another key test is “free space optical links” between satellites, which is a way to send data using lasers (like a very focused flashlight) instead of radio. Google says it wants to see if these links could let satellites share AI work across multiple machines, similar to how big computer systems share work in data centers on Earth.

Why it matters

Most AI today runs in large buildings full of computers that use a lot of electricity. Google says space has lots of solar power, but it also admits the technical hurdles are large. For now, this project is best understood as research that could inform future designs, and not as a sign that space based AI data centers are about to arrive.

Source: NYTimes