Google plans to build AI-powered data centers in outer space by the beginning of 2027.Google said its new project, dubbed "Sunhunter , " aims to send a constellation of solar-powered satellites equipped with "TPU" processors into Earth's orbit , according to The Guardian.
The company added that these satellites will be linked to each other by optical links to exchange information at extremely high speeds.
The company’s scientists and engineers believe that a constellation of 80 satellites could be sent into Earth’s orbit to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies.
The company's research, released Tuesday, explained that the costs of sending rockets into space are declining rapidly, and the cost of running these space centers could become similar to the cost of terrestrial data centers by the mid-2030s.
The company believes that using satellites could reduce the environmental impact on Earth and the water used to cool data centers on Earth.
The space centers will rely on solar panels and are expected to be eight times more productive than their Earth-based counterparts.
Google plans to launch its first two experimental satellites by early 2027, and its research has described the project as "the first step towards space-based and scalable artificial intelligence," according to The Guardian.
However, the company pointed to significant engineering challenges that could hinder the completion of the "sun catcher" project, such as thermal issues, ground connectivity, and system reliability.
Astronomers will also object to this project, arguing that the increasing number of satellites in Earth's orbit makes the sky look like "a car window full of insects," hindering their ability to monitor the universe.
On the other hand, American billionaire Elon Musk announced last week that Starlink and SpaceX intend to build data centers in space.
Nvidia also plans to send its electronic chips into space in a scientific experiment this month.
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