Google launches satellite equipped with AI chips to test capabilities in space

Los Angeles (ANTARA) - Google on Thursday (1/10) launched a prototype satellite into Earth’s orbit to test the operational capabilities of its artificial intelligence (AI) based chips, known as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), in space.

The prototype satellite carries four Google TPUs and was launched as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission.

Google stated that its team has confirmed communication with the satellite and that it is operating as intended.

Google noted that the launch is the initial step of Project Suncermatcher, a long-term research project conducted in collaboration with Planet Labs PBC to explore whether scalable machine learning infrastructure can eventually be deployed in space.

Over the coming weeks, Google will collect orbital data regarding how its TPUs handle physical stress, radiation, and extreme temperatures in space. The company will use this data to refine its future designs.

According to Google, in Low Earth Orbit, satellites can gain access to almost constant sunlight, generating up to eight times more solar power than on Earth.

In the future, several satellite constellations could potentially be interconnected, allowing them to handle larger AI workloads in orbit, the company stated.