-
Google tests whether satellites can power data centres in orbit
Google has launched its first Suncatcher satellite to test whether its tensor processing units can operate through launch and in space. The project explores whether abundant solar energy could make orbital data centres economically viable, but Google’s research stresses that major cost and engineering hurdles remain. Google estimates launch costs would need to fall to…
-
Google’s orbital AI data centres hinge on 1,800 Starship launches
Google has sent its first orbital computing prototype into space to test whether its Tensor Processing Unit can operate reliably there. The experiment is an early step towards Project Suncatcher, a proposed network of satellites that could run AI workloads in orbit, but building such data centres at scale depends on much cheaper launches. The…
-
Canada backs three firms to develop a sovereign rocket launch industry
Canada’s government is backing development of a domestic space launch industry, marking a significant shift toward sovereignty driven by deteriorating relations with the United States. Following Trump Administration tariffs and rhetoric, the Canadian government announced its first awards to three companies—NordSpace, Reaction Dynamics, and Canada Rocket Company—under the “Launch the North” initiative. This move reflects…
-
John Davidson to watch Bafta Scotland awards from separate room
Bafta has arranged for John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner, to attend the Bafta Scotland awards in November following an independent review into a February incident. Davidson will watch the ceremony via video link from a separate “relaxed” space within the venue with his family and friends, an arrangement made in consultation with safeguarding experts…
-
Flanagan’s Carrie updates Stephen King’s horror with online bullying
Mike Flanagan’s eight-episode Carrie series for Amazon Prime Video updates Stephen King’s 1974 classic by centring on cyberbullying. The adaptation retains the original story’s terror and drama whilst reimagining it for 2026, exploring the distinct nightmare of harassment that follows teenagers beyond school walls. Summer H. Howell plays Carrie White, who enters high school for…
-
Satlyt secures $8m to develop AI computing software for satellites
Satlyt, a start-up founded by former Google and SpaceX product manager Rama Afullo, has raised $8 million to develop software that runs AI on satellites. It aims to let spacecraft from different operators share computing work in orbit, creating an open, cloud-like service without building its own satellites. The company has flown its software on…
-
Rapidly built rescue satellite fails to save ageing Swift observatory
NASA’s attempt to save its $500 million Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling out of orbit has failed, but government and commercial space officials are celebrating the achievement nonetheless. Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link rescue satellite successfully launched in July and completed initial checkouts before suffering a malfunction that sent it spinning out of control weeks…
-
Iran denies RAF Fairford terror link as Putin presses Ukraine invasion
Iran denies involvement in suspected terror incident near RAF Fairford as Putin shows no sign of stepping back from Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Women comprise just 16 per cent of the UK cybersecurity workforce.