Google lately unveiled Venture Suncatcher, a analysis “moonshot” aiming to construct a knowledge centre in area. The tech large plans to make use of a constellation of solar-powered satellites which might run by itself TPU chips and transmit records to each other by the use of lasers.
Google’s TPU chips (tensor processing gadgets), which might be specifically designed for system studying, are already powering Google’s newest AI type, Gemini 3. Venture Suncatcher will discover whether or not they may be able to be tailored to continue to exist radiation and temperature extremes and perform reliably in orbit. It targets to deploy two prototype satellites into low Earth orbit, some 400 miles above the Earth, in early 2027.
Google’s competitors also are exploring space-based computing. Elon Musk has stated that SpaceX “will be doing data centres in space”, suggesting that the following technology of Starlink satellites may well be scaled as much as host such processing. A number of smaller companies, together with a US startup known as Starcloud, have additionally introduced plans to release satellites provided with the GPU chips (graphics processing gadgets) which are utilized in maximum AI methods.
The common sense of knowledge centres in area is they steer clear of most of the problems with their Earth-based equivalents, specifically round energy and cooling. House methods have a far decrease environmental footprint and it’s probably more uncomplicated to lead them to larger.
As Google CEO Sundar Pichai has stated: “We will send tiny, tiny racks of machines and have them in satellites, test them out, and then start scaling from there … There is no doubt to me that, a decade or so away, we will be viewing it as a more normal way to build data centres.”
Assuming Google does arrange to release a prototype in 2027, will it merely be a high-stakes technical experiment – or the dawning of a brand new generation?
The dimensions of the problem
I wrote a piece of writing for The Dialog initially of 2025 laying out the demanding situations of hanging records centres into area, through which I used to be wary about them taking place quickly.
Now, after all, Venture Suncatcher represents a concrete programme reasonably than simply an concept. This readability, with an outlined function, release date and {hardware}, marks a vital shift.
The satellites’ orbits might be “sun synchronous”, which means they’ll at all times be flying over puts at sundown or dawn in order that they may be able to seize daylight just about often. In line with Google, photo voltaic arrays in such orbits can generate considerably extra power in keeping with panel than standard installations on Earth as a result of they steer clear of shedding daylight because of clouds and the ambience, in addition to evening occasions.
Hi spaceboy: Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
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The TPU assessments might be attention-grabbing. While {hardware} designed for area generally calls for to be closely shielded in opposition to radiation and excessive temperatures, Google is the use of the similar chips utilized in its Earth records centres.
The corporate has already executed laboratory assessments exposing the chips to radiation from a proton beam that counsel they may be able to tolerate virtually thrice the dose they’ll obtain in area. That is very promising, however keeping up a competent efficiency for years, amidst photo voltaic storms, particles and temperature swings is a a ways tougher check.
Any other problem lies in thermal control. On Earth, servers are cooled with air or water. In area, there is not any air and no simple technique to deplete warmth. All warmth will have to be got rid of via radiators, which continuously turn into a number of the greatest and heaviest portions of a spacecraft.
Nasa research display that radiators can account for greater than 40% of general energy device mass at excessive energy ranges. Designing a compact device that may stay dense AI {hardware} inside of secure temperatures is without doubt one of the maximum tough sides of the Suncatcher idea.
An area-based records centre will have to additionally mirror the excessive bandwidth, low latency community cloth of terrestrial records centres. If Google’s proposed laser conversation device (optical networking) goes to paintings on the multi-terabit capability required, there are primary engineering hurdles concerned.
Those come with keeping up the vital alignment between fast-moving satellites and dealing with orbital flow, the place satellites transfer out in their meant orbit. The satellites may even need to maintain dependable flooring hyperlinks again on Earth and ovecome climate disruptions. If an area data-centre is to be viable for the long run, it’s going to be essential that it avoids early screw ups.
Repairs is every other unresolved factor. Terrestrial records centres depend on power {hardware} servicing and upgrades. In orbit, upkeep will require robot servicing or further missions, either one of which might be pricey and complicated.
Gained’t come reasonable.
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Then there’s the uncertainty round economics. House-based computing turns into viable most effective at scale, and provided that release prices fall considerably. Google’s Venture Suncatcher paper means that release prices may drop beneath US$200 (£151) in keeping with kilogram by way of the mid 2030s, seven or 8 occasions inexpensive than these days. That might put development prices on par with some similar amenities on Earth. But when satellites require early substitute or if radiation shortens their lifespan, the numbers may glance relatively other.
Briefly, a two-satellite check challenge by way of 2027 sounds believable. It would validate whether or not TPUs continue to exist radiation and thermal tension, whether or not solar energy is solid and whether or not the laser conversation device plays as anticipated.
Then again, even a a hit demonstration would most effective be step one. It might no longer display that large-scale orbital records centres are possible. Complete-scale methods will require fixing all of the demanding situations defined above. If adoption happens in any respect, it’s prone to spread over a long time.
For now, space-based computing stays what Google itself calls it, a moonshot: bold and technically tough, however one that would reshape the way forward for AI infrastructure, to not point out our courting with the cosmos round us.
