Google: Starship needs 1,800 launches for orbital data centers

Google launched a satellite carrying its TPU on a SpaceX rocket as part of Project Suncatcher, its first chip in space. In an updated white paper, Google estimates that reaching launch prices near $200/kg by 2035 would require Starship to deliver 370,000 tons to orbit, or roughly 1,800 flights over 10 years.

• Planet Labs satellite with Google TPU launched on SpaceX rocket from California
• TPU will run in 15-minute bursts due to power and thermal limits
• Google estimates launch prices near $200/kg by 2035
• That requires Starship to deliver 370,000 tons in ~1,800 launches over 10 years