Google is preparing to launch a satellite equipped with its AI processors into space. The launch is scheduled for October 1st aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
This test lets the hardware harness the power of the sun in low Earth orbit. The project operates under the name Project Suncatcher.
This experimental initiative could eventually place artificial intelligence data centers into orbit. Google aims to measure how its Tensor Processing Units handle the physical stress of spaceflight.
The testing will specifically evaluate the chips against the radiation and thermal extremes of space. Google previously found during preliminary testing that its TPUs can withstand high levels of g-force and radiation.
However, the company notes that some things can only be tested in space. The mission will also trial a cooling system involving heat pipes and radiators while the chips operate in orbit.
Travis Beals, senior director of product management for Project Suncatcher, explained that the chips can only run for about 15 minutes before they need to be turned off to cool down.
Exploring space as a viable location for scalable AI compute requires methodical engineering. Beals noted that the process starts by proving hardware can handle the physical and unpredictable realities of operating in orbit.
The first launch focuses on seeing what works and identifying points of failure. Google will then apply those findings to future missions.
This mission represents a step toward building a constellation of chip-equipped satellites. Similar ideas have been floated by Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt as an alternative to terrestrial data centers.
Google plans to launch two additional satellites into orbit next year.
