Google sends four TPUs to orbit on Falcon 9 in first real test of Project Suncatcher
McDonaghMatthew · x · 2026-10-01
A Falcon 9 launched four Google TPUs into orbit today aboard a Planet Labs satellite — the first real test of Project Suncatcher, Google's bet on solar-powered AI compute in space.
- Google itself estimates space compute only makes sense at $200/kg launch costs by 2035, making Starship's falling launch costs as important as the hardware.
- SpaceX is simultaneously building its own orbital compute platform.
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