Google launched a prototype satellite with four TPU on a SpaceX rocket on 1 October: this is the first test of Project Suncatcher

Google launched a prototype satellite with four TPU on a SpaceX rocket on 1 October: this is the first test of Project Suncatcher

Google (@Google)

The satellite was placed into orbit together with Planet on the Transporter-18 mission. In the coming weeks Google will collect data on how the chips handle radiation, mechanical loads and temperature swings. This is an early engineering test, not a working data center in space, and it changes nothing for you and requires no action.

Facts

• Next step in the Google plan: in 2027 two satellites with a laser link between them. Future craft will carry dozens of TPU. [blog.google, 24 September 2026]

• Google announced the first orbital TPU test in advance on 24 September: one week before launch. [@Google, 24 September 2026]

• Planet confirmed that 20 satellites were deployed on Transporter-18, including a prototype for Suncatcher. [@planet, 1 October 2026]

• Google reported that in partnership with Planet it launched a prototype satellite with four TPU on the SpaceX Transporter-18 mission and called it the first step of Project Suncatcher. [@Google, 1 October 2026]

Awaiting:

• Results of orbital measurements: Google promises to collect data in the coming weeks and to use it in future designs.