Google, in partnership with Planet Labs, launched a prototype satellite aboard a SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The launch marks the first in-orbit test for 'Project Suncatcher,' a Google initiative exploring the feasibility of running AI data centers in space. The satellite is about the size of a refrigerator. It carries four of Google's custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs).
The initial mission aims to test how Google's AI hardware withstands harsh space conditions. These include launch vibrations, radiation, and extreme temperatures. The team confirmed contact with the satellite. It is operating as expected.
This test represents a preliminary step in a long-term project. The project envisions clusters of satellites creating a scalable, solar-powered machine learning infrastructure in orbit.