Google launches four TPUs into orbit for Project Suncatcher

On October 1, 2026, Google and Planet Labs launched a prototype satellite carrying four TPUs on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission. It is the first step of Project Suncatcher, Google's long-term effort to host scalable machine learning infrastructure in space. Over the coming weeks, in-orbit data will show how the TPUs handle radiation, thermal extremes and physical stress.

• Satellite with four TPUs launched October 1, 2026 on SpaceX Transporter-18
• Project Suncatcher targets scalable AI compute in space
• Radiation and thermal stress data to be collected in coming weeks
• Google's partner on the mission is Planet Labs