Google is launching an experimental satellite, MVP, as part of its Project Suncatcher initiative to test AI computing in space. Developed with Planet Labs, the satellite will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The satellite is equipped with four TPU chips, providing computing power comparable to a single data center server. It is powered by solar panels generating 1 kW of energy. The hardware is designed to run Gemini AI queries while operating in a vacuum and radiation environment.
Engineers tested the equipment against flight vibrations and subjected the TPU chips to proton beam radiation, confirming they can withstand five years of exposure. A specialized cooling system using heat-conductive materials and a radiator has been developed to manage heat in space.
The current prototype has a 15-minute continuous operation limit before requiring a cooldown. Project Suncatcher aims to link satellite clusters via high-speed laser connections, with lab tests achieving 1.6 Tbit/s. Google plans to launch two more prototypes in 2027.
Google estimates that orbital AI infrastructure will not be commercially viable for several years. Economic parity with terrestrial data centers may only be reached by the mid-2030s, provided launch costs drop to approximately $200 per kilogram.
