Google launches satellite carrying AI chips to test performance in space-Xinhua
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Google launched a prototype satellite into orbit on Thursday to evaluate how its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) operate in space. The prototype satellite, carrying four Google TPUs, was launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission. Google said its team has confirmed contact with the satellite and it is operating as expected. Google said the launch is the first step of its Project Suncatcher, a long-term research project conducted in partnership with Planet Labs PBC to explore whether scalable machine learning infrastructure could eventually be hosted in space. Over the coming weeks, Google will collect in-orbit data on how its TPUs handle the physical stress, radiation and thermal extremes of space. The company will use it to refine its ...