Google is preparing to launch and test its AI chip in space to understand how to scale AI hardware in orbit as part of Project Suncatcher.
Project Suncatcher, which was announced last year, will enable Google’s experts to test hardware survival, cooling processes, and satellite interconnectivity for machine learning infrastructure in space. “Exploring space as a viable location for scalable AI compute won’t happen all at once. solar events and cosmic rays are risk factors While low-Earth orbit allows access to near-constant sunlight and solar power. It takes methodical engineering, starting with proving our hardware can handle the physical and unpredictable realities of operating in orbit.
The company said it was getting ready for an early test launch and working toward its next milestone in 2027. The mission is slated to take place onboard the upcoming Transporter-18 rideshare mission with SpaceX, that was developed in partnership with Planet.
This first launch is about seeing what works, identifying points of failure, and applying those findings to future missions,” said Google in a blog post.
