Google Tests Project Suncatcher, Its Plan for AI Data Centers in Space

Google is testing Project Suncatcher, a plan to place AI computing infrastructure in orbit using solar-powered satellites equipped with its Tensor Processing Units. The company says space-based systems could access near-continuous sunlight and reduce pressure on power grids. Experiments will examine whether the chips can survive launch vibrations, radiation, extreme temperatures, and cooling challenges. Google and partner Planet plan to launch satellites, while researchers study communication links, orbital control, costs, and whether the concept can support large-scale machine-learning workloads