Shafaqna English- Google has unveiled plans to build solar-powered AI datacentres in orbit, marking a bold step to meet soaring computing demand while easing pressure on Earth’s land and water resources, as the Guardian reported.
Under its new initiative, Project Suncatcher, Google aims to deploy constellations of about 80 satellites roughly 400 miles above Earth by the early 2030s, following a prototype launch in 2027. Each satellite would house advanced TPU processors and connect via free-space optical links to beam data back to Earth.
The company says falling launch costs and abundant solar energy in orbit could make space-based datacentres cost-competitive within a decade. However, challenges remain — including heat management, reliable communications, and rising concerns over satellite congestion in low Earth orbit.
“With near-unlimited solar energy, space may be the best place to scale AI computing,” Google said. Tech rivals including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Nvidia are pursuing similar ambitions, as the global AI datacentre race intensifies amid environmental scrutiny and an expected $3 trillion industry investment this decade.
Source: Guardian