Google Project Suncatcher plans to build space-based solar-powered AI infrastructure systems

This week, Google has gone into details on a plan to build a “scalable ML compute systems” in space. Dubbed Project Suncatcher, Google will be researching the means to build a facility for its AI TPU systems outside of Earth’s atmosphere, with the goal being that they will hopefully be able to harness the sun’s solar energy more directly to fulfill growing power requirements for its expanding AI systems. Google posted an extensive blog about the details and intentions of Project Suncatcher this week, with additional context added by CEO Sundar Pichai. Under Project Suncatcher, Google will collaboration with earth imagine company Planet to launch two prototype satellites by 2027: Inspired by our history of moonshots, from quantum computing to autonomous driving, Project Suncatcher is exploring how we could one day build scalable ML compute systems in space, harnessing more of the sun’s power (which emits more power than 100 trillion times humanity’s total electricity production). Our TPUs are headed to space! Inspired by our history of moonshots, from quantum computing to autonomous driving, Project Suncatcher is exploring how we could one day build scalable ML compute systems in space, harnessing more of the sun’s power (which emits more power than 100… pic.twitter.com/aQhukBAMDp — Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) November 4, 2025 It’s an ambitious project for sure, but one that aims to answer a constant and steadily compounding problem in AI technology development: The cost and strain of power that the technology demands. The issue has gotten bad enough that environmental groups have lashed out and denounced companies like xAI for the damage its facilities do to the local environment and power supply in Memphis, Tennessee. The problem isn’t getting better as long as companies demand more space and more energy for AI development, which doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. So perhaps, at the very least, Project Suncatcher will help develop a means of access to energy resources that don’t drain resources on the actual planet. As we watch for further news and development on this story, stay tuned to the Google topic for updates.