Musk says space will hold all compute. Google wonders if AI chips can work there (thenewstack.io)

Elon Musk has declared that space will become the primary location for computational resources, while Google is testing the viability of its AI chips in orbit through Project Suncatcher. SpaceX and Nvidia are racing to launch a fully operational space-optimized AI data center by late 2027 with the Starmind AI 1 satellites, facing significant engineering challenges such as cooling and resistance to radiation. In contrast, Google's more cautious strategy involves testing a prototype satellite equipped with Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to explore whether space can effectively support scalable machine learning infrastructure. The inaugural flight of Project Suncatcher will subject the refrigerator-sized prototype to the rigors of space—intense vibrations and extreme thermal conditions—while gathering data on its performance under radiation exposure. Google is investigating whether solar-powered satellite constellations can handle massive AI workloads, leveraging high-speed optical links to facilitate communication. With a first mission planned for October, the project aims to build on its findings for a 2027 launch involving multiple satellites, paving the way for a future where AI computing in space could effectively meet the demands of advanced machine learning applications.