Google tests its plan for AI data centers in space with Project Suncatcher

Google's Project Suncatcher is launching hardware on a SpaceX rocket to test AI data centers in space, a concept previously highlighted by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The test satellite will carry four processors to run Google's Gemini AI models for 15-minute intervals. This initiative aims to develop full-fledged orbital data centers, comprising thousands of satellites that collaboratively run AI models and transmit results back to Earth.

Unlike earlier proposals for space-based data centers, this marks the first time a major AI developer is actively testing hardware in orbit for this purpose.