"If it can ever get off the ground, the project would essentially create space-based data centers. Google hopes that by doing so, it can harness solar power around-the-clock. The dream is harnessing a near-unlimited source of clean energy that might allow the company to chase its AI ambitions without the concerns its data centers on Earth have raised when it comes to driving up power plant emissions and utility bills through soaring electricity demand."
"A major challenge will be to ensure that the satellites can communicate well with each other. Competing with data centers on land "requires links between satellites that support tens of terabits per second," Google writes. Maneuvering constellations of satellites into tight formations can help them achieve that, perhaps flying satellites within "kilometers or less" of each other. That's much closer than satellites operate today, and already space junk from collisions is a growing"
Project Suncatcher proposes launching Tensor Processing Units into solar-powered satellites to create space-based data centers that can access near-continuous solar energy. Space solar panels could generate electricity almost continuously and be up to eight times more productive than Earth-based panels. The approach aims to enable large-scale AI compute without driving terrestrial power-plant emissions or soaring utility costs. Major engineering challenges include achieving inter-satellite links that support tens of terabits per second, flying satellites in tight kilometer-scale formations, and managing collision risk and growing orbital debris while maintaining reliable communications and maneuverability.
Read at The Verge
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