Google is launching an experimental satellite named MVP into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Part of Project Suncatcher, this orbiting server features four Tensor Processing Units powered by one kilowatt of solar energy.
The satellite uses a specialized cooling system to vent heat into space, though the TPUs can only run for 15 minutes before needing a shutdown. To combat radiation-induced bit flips, Google senior VP James Manyika says the chips will be restarted periodically.
While China has already deployed orbital AI compute, Google plans to follow this mission with a pair of satellites and a fleet of over 80 units. The MVP will handle AI requests for one year before burning up in the atmosphere after its six-year orbital life.