Google is preparing to test its AI chips in space as part of Project Suncatcher, an initiative exploring the possibility of building large-scale computing infrastructure in low Earth orbit.
A prototype satellite carrying Google’s Tensor Processing Units is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Oct. 1.
Early testing will examine whether the hardware can withstand radiation and operate under the extreme thermal conditions of space.
The prototype chips can reportedly operate for about 15 minutes before requiring cooling, while tests have shown the hardware can withstand radiation levels exceeding those expected during a five-year mission. Google is working with Planet Labs on heat-management technology, including heat pipes and radiators.
The company plans to launch two additional satellites in 2027 as it evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of orbital data centers.
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Breaking News: Google is planning to launch an experimental satellite into orbit in Big Tech’s first move toward A.I. data centers in space. https://t.co/FmOTGyYdb6
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 24, 2026
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