Tech giant Google is gearing up for its most ambitious experiment yet—building AI data centers in outer space. Under a project called “Project SunCatcher,” the company plans to launch solar-powered satellites equipped with advanced Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to process artificial intelligence tasks while drawing endless energy directly from the sun.
What is Project SunCatcher?
Project SunCatcher is Google’s futuristic initiative to create space-based AI data centers that operate using solar energy. These data centers will be a network of interconnected satellites orbiting the Earth in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Each satellite will be fitted with solar panels to capture sunlight and power its onboard AI chips. The idea is to reduce the burden on Earth’s power grids by shifting some of the energy-intensive AI computing to space.
How will it work, and when will it launch?
According to The Verge, Google has partnered with Planet Labs, a major satellite manufacturer, to test the technology. The first two experimental satellites are expected to launch in early 2027. These test missions will focus on validating the hardware performance, connectivity, and solar energy efficiency in orbit.
Since space receives constant sunlight—without clouds, night, or weather interruptions—the satellites can operate around the clock, drastically reducing the need for batteries and power downtime.
Why Google is taking AI into space
The demand for AI technology is skyrocketing, and with it, the energy consumption of AI data centers. Experts predict that the global capacity of AI servers may need to increase fivefold within the next five years. Traditional data centers already consume massive power—servers use nearly 60% of total energy, while cooling systems can take up 7% to 30%.
By moving AI processing to space, Google aims to tackle the growing electricity demand while reducing the environmental impact of terrestrial data centers.
Why space is the perfect choice
Sunlight in space is far stronger and more consistent than on Earth. Solar panels placed in optimal orbits can generate up to eight times more power than they can on the ground.
There are no nights, no clouds, and no weather fluctuations—meaning 24/7 access to pure solar energy. Google highlights that the sun’s total energy output is 100 trillion times greater than the total electricity used by humanity. Project SunCatcher seeks to tap into this limitless energy source to power the next generation of AI without straining Earth’s grid.
