Google Project Suncatcher receives first AI response from space-based TPU
CEO Sundar Pichai announced that a prototype satellite successfully transmitted a haiku back to Earth after processing a command in orbit.
Google's Project Suncatcher has achieved its first AI response from a data center-class Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) launched into orbit earlier this month, according to a Times of India report.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared the milestone on X, stating that after launching a prototype satellite a few weeks ago, the company successfully booted the TPU and received a complete response on Earth.
The research project aims to establish AI data centres in space by using solar-powered satellite networks equipped with custom TPUs to power computing via solar energy.
The prototype satellite was launched on October 1 to test if AI hardware could function in space. During a ground-station pass near Svalbard, Norway, the company uplinked a prompt to its onboard Gemma 4 open model.
The model generated a haiku about being in space, which was then downlinked to Earth. Following this, the company tested space-themed limericks and telemetry prompts regarding payload system status.
Future tests will evaluate how the TPUs handle radiation exposure and thermal stress in orbit. The company aims to reach a milestone involving twin interconnected satellites in 2027.