Google Launches Space-Based Computing Power with TPU: Runs for 15 Minutes, Then Shuts Down for Cooling, Using Just 1 Kilowatt
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Author:小编   

Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, has revealed that the inaugural space computing power satellite prototype, MVP, from the Project Suncatcher initiative, is set to be launched on October 1, 2026. This will be achieved through SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket. Developed in partnership with the remote sensing satellite company Planet, this refrigerator-sized satellite boasts four TPU chips and delivers computing power on par with ground-based servers. Designed for a one-year operational lifespan, it is anticipated to handle basic Gemini queries. This initiative is geared towards preemptively addressing the full spectrum of challenges associated with space computing power systems, encompassing launch, deployment, and operation, thereby paving the way for the future establishment of a space data center. This center will comprise 81 satellites interconnected through laser communication. However, the space environment presents formidable demands on the satellite. Throughout the launch phase, each chip must endure shocks ranging from 50 to 100 times the force of gravity. Regarding space radiation, the sixth-generation TPU, Trillium, is capable of withstanding cumulative radiation doses that surpass those encountered in a five-year space mission. The most daunting challenge is heat dissipation. Owing to the vacuum conditions in space, heat cannot be dissipated through air convection. Presently, the MVP satellite can only operate continuously for 15 minutes, after which it must shut down for cooling, relying solely on heat pipes and radiators. Moreover, launch costs represent a significant barrier. Google has estimated that launch costs must plummet to below $200 per kilogram by 2030 to be competitive with the electricity expenses of ground-based data centers. In contrast, current launch costs range from $1,500 to $2,900 per kilogram.