Google's next moonshot wants to shoot AI data centers into space - orbiting Suncatcher facilities will be equipped with AI TPUs

• Google plans to deploy AI data centers in orbit using solar-powered satellite constellations
• Each Suncatcher satellite would operate in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit for continuous solar exposure
• Bench tests achieved 1.6 terabits per second between transceivers in controlled conditions

Google’s “Project Suncatcher” introduces an ambitious idea: to place fully functional AI data centers in orbit.

These orbital platforms would consist of a constellation of compact satellites operating in a dawn–dusk sun-synchronous low Earth orbit, designed to capture near-continuous sunlight.

Each unit would house machine learning hardware, including TPUs, powered by solar energy collected more efficiently than on Earth.