Google launches Project Suncatcher to scale AI computing in space
The project envisions solar-powered satellites carrying Tensor Processing Units for machine learning.
Google has unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative exploring how AI computation could be scaled in space. The project aims to create an interconnected constellation of solar-powered satellites equipped with Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips.
Researchers hope that off-Earth computation could unlock new possibilities for high-performance AI, powered directly by the Sun. Early research focuses on satellite design, communication systems and radiation testing to ensure the TPUs function in orbit.
The company plans a joint mission with Planet to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027. These trials will test the hardware in space and assess the feasibility of large-scale solar computation networks.
Project Suncatcher continues Google’s tradition of ambitious research ‘moonshots’, following advances in quantum computing and autonomous systems. If successful, it could redefine how energy and computing resources are harnessed for future AI breakthroughs.
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