Google is launching an experimental satellite equipped with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 1 October as part of Project Suncatcher. This mission represents a significant step towards establishing orbital AI data centres, an idea that could revolutionise how computing infrastructure is deployed beyond Earth.

The satellite will test how Google's chips withstand the physical stresses of spaceflight, including radiation and extreme thermal conditions. Google plans to deploy two additional satellites in 2027, and has already confirmed through laboratory testing that its TPUs can handle high g-forces and radiation; however, the chips currently require shutdown for cooling every 15 minutes in orbit. The company is trialling an advanced cooling system using heat pipes and radiators whilst in space, viewing this first launch as foundational research to identify what works and what fails before scaling the project further.