Project Suncatcher satellite enters orbit

The Project Suncatcher satellite has been successfully launched into space. The mission includes radiation resistance and cooling tests. The satellite contains four TPUs and solar panels that generate about 1 kW.

Launched on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, the satellite is part of a Google initiative in partnership with Planet and SpaceX to explore the feasibility of placing artificial intelligence data centers in orbit. The mission will be the second of the day, with a launch of astronauts to the ISS. Project Suncatcher was started in November 2025 and aims to test the operation of AI chips in extreme space conditions. The launch also includes Planet Labs satellites, including a solar prototype with TPUs.

Project Suncatcher satellite enters orbit — Image: blog.google

Specifications

Specifications
Item	Specification
Mission	SpaceX's Transporter-18
Partnerships	Planet and SpaceX
TPUs	4
Launch	11:15 am PT, Vandenberg Air Force Base

Comparison

Project Suncatcher prototype satellite is in orbit

Comparison
Item	Project Suncatcher prototype satellite	Planet Labs satellite
Mission	SpaceX's Transporter-18	astronaut launch to the ISS
Partnerships	Planet and SpaceX	Planet

Four TPUs test AI in space

Each TPU is a specialized processing unit designed for artificial intelligence tasks. These tests help us understand how AI technology survives in extreme environments. The mission aims to test the operation of AI chips under extreme space conditions and to investigate the possibility of using solar power to reduce processing costs in space. Google is using SpaceX's Transporter-18 to send up the satellite, which carries four TPUs, its specialized AI accelerators. The idea is to see how these chips behave in space, especially with regard to radiation and thermal extremes. SpaceX has already promoted data centers in orbit as the next frontier of artificial intelligence infrastructure, highlighting the advantage of having 'infinite real estate' in orbit (in free translation).

Mission tests resistance to radiation and cooling

The Project Suncatcher satellite swaps the ground for orbit and puts TPUs under radiation and heat conditions. The solar panels generate 1 kW, which measures the capacity for energy self-sufficiency in orbit.