Google wants to power AI from space
Google is thinking way outside the box with Project Suncatcher—its plan to launch prototype satellites equipped with TPUs into orbit by 2027.
Instead of building more power-hungry centers on Earth, Google is exploring sending special satellites equipped with its own Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) into space, where solar panels can soak up way more energy.
How it works
Two prototype satellites will head up with Planet Labs, using sun-synchronous orbits and solar panels that generate up to eight times more power than they would on Earth.
These satellites talk to each other using laser links and greatly reduce the need for batteries thanks to all that sunlight.
Why it matters
Google says its latest TPUs can handle at least five years in orbit, with only minor hiccups.
Plus, as launch costs drop in the next decade, running data centers in space could actually become cheaper than doing it here—potentially changing how we power AI for good.