Earlier, a technology company attempted to send NVIDIA AI accelerator cards into space, conducting tests powered by solar energy and leveraging the naturally low temperatures of outer space. Theoretically, space offers an inexhaustible supply of solar power and eliminates the need for traditional cooling methods such as air or water systems used in terrestrial data centers.
Now, Google appears to be exploring a similar concept. In a recent blog post, the company outlined an ambitious initiative aimed at overcoming the energy and resource constraints faced by Earth-based AI data centers. The project, titled “Project Suncatcher,” envisions deploying Google’s TPU (Tensor Processing Units) aboard satellites orbiting the Earth to perform AI computations in space.
If successful, this would effectively establish data centers in orbit, allowing Google to harness solar power around the clock — an approach that could provide limitless clean energy while significantly reducing operational costs, freeing more resources for continued investment in AI development.
According to Google, these TPU-equipped satellites would be fitted with high-efficiency solar panels capable of generating power continuously. The company claims that solar panels in space are up to eight times more efficient than those on Earth.
However, the endeavor presents major challenges. These satellites must maintain robust communication links, as space-based data centers would require satellite connections capable of transmitting tens of terabits per second. Forming a tightly coordinated satellite constellation could help achieve this throughput, though proximity between satellites also raises collision risks.
Another key obstacle is radiation exposure. Google must ensure that its TPU units can withstand the intense radiation levels of space. The company has already conducted radiation tolerance tests on its Trillium TPUs, confirming that they can endure the total ionizing dose equivalent to a five-year mission without sustaining permanent damage.
While the cost of launching and maintaining large-scale satellite infrastructure remains high, Google’s cost analysis suggests that by the mid-2030s, the energy expenses of operating space-based data centers could become comparable to those of terrestrial facilities.
To advance this vision, Google plans to collaborate with Planet Labs, aiming to launch several prototype satellites by 2027 to evaluate the real-world performance of this technology in orbit.
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