Google Launches Space-Based AI Data Centre Test

Google's Project Suncatcher has launched into space as part of the Transporter-18 rideshare mission with SpaceX. The project aims to explore whether space could host scalable machine learning infrastructure for AI development.

Data centres are often criticized for their noise, size, and energy needs, but Google hopes that setting some up in space could solve these problems. According to the company, satellites in low-Earth orbit can access near-constant sunlight, generating up to eight times more solar power than on Earth.

Google's AI hardware has been sent to space as part of this test, and the company will be monitoring how well it operates in space. This includes testing whether the technology can generate enough computing power to answer basic AI queries.

However, experts have warned that there are many obstacles to making orbital data centres a reality. Ariel Ekblaw, founder and CEO of the Aurelia Institute, noted that space is much colder than people realize, which would make it difficult to deploy computers in space.