Google parent company Alphabet (GOOGL) is testing whether outer space can host large-scale artificial intelligence (A.I.) data centres.
Alphabet said that “Project Suncatcher” will explore the feasibility of A.I. computing infrastructure in space.
To that end, the company plans to launch a prototype satellite that will conduct the first in-orbit test of A.I. microchips in space.
Companies such as Alphabet and SpaceX (SPCX) are exploring putting data centres in low Earth orbit, aiming to harness sunlight to power energy-intensive A.I. compute.
Alphabet said it is conducting the first test of A.I. microchips in outer space with satellite company Planet Labs (PL).
The test will assess how Alphabet’s A.I. hardware withstands launch forces, radiation, and extreme temperatures in a space environment.
A prototype satellite carrying the company’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) microchips will assess if they can operate reliably in outer space.
Space radiation can disrupt or degrade electronics, including by causing data errors known as “bit flips,” said Alphabet.
Analysts say that A.I. data centres in space remain years from being commercially viable given the extremely high costs and engineering constraints.
Alphabet said that it plans to launch two satellites in 2027 to test the high-bandwidth laser links needed to connect future computing clusters in outer space.
GOOGL stock has risen 39% in the past 12 months to trade at $342.36 U.S. per share.
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