Oct 30, 2026
Google reports that its Project Suncatcher prototype ran Gemma 4 on an onboard TPU and transmitted a response to Earth. The satellite launched on October 1; the first response arrived during the week of this announcement.
This is an orbital research demonstration, not an operational commercial data center. Thermal and radiation testing continues, while two interconnected satellites are planned for 2027. The experiment connects AI hardware, solar power and space infrastructure.