Google’s Project Suncatcher:
Google has announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term research initiative to test solar-powered data centres in space, with the first experimental launches planned for 2027.The project aims to test solar-powered data centres in space by deploying small computing racks on satellites, with Google planning to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027 as part of a learning mission in partnership with Planet Labs, an Earth imaging company.
It will rely on Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), Google’s patented custom chips designed for high-volume, low-precision Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing, and use laser-based optical links to interconnect satellites into a constellation capable of data centre–level computation. Satellites will use continuous solar radiation to power computing systems, reducing dependence on Earth-based electricity.
