Google’s Project Suncatcher Tests AI Data Centers in Space

Google is studying whether computers for artificial intelligence could work in space.

Its project is called Project Suncatcher.

The plan involves putting special Google chips called TPUs on satellites.

The satellites could use sunlight for power much of the time.

Scientists will test whether the chips survive launch, radiation, heat and cold.

They will also test ways to move heat away because ordinary fans do not work in space.

Satellites may eventually use laser links to send information to one another.

The articles disagree about whether the first prototype is scheduled to launch or has already launched.

Experts say the idea is promising but still expensive and difficult to build at large scale.