Planet and orbital data centers
| Project | Lead | Hardware | Timeline | Status | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Suncatcher: first TPU prototype satellite | 4 Google Trillium-generation TPUs | 1 Oct 2026, 18:32 UTC (Transporter-18) | in orbit | [1] [2] [3] [4] | |
| Project Suncatcher: two prototype satellites with cross-links | Google TPUs (per satellite count not stated) | early 2027 (target) | planned | [1] [2] | |
| Vera Rubin Space-1 Module | NVIDIA | Vera Rubin Space-1 Module for orbital data centers | announced 16 Mar 2026 (GTC); availability not stated | announced | [1] |
Project Suncatcher: first TPU prototype satellite
Google's first TPUs in orbit, on a prototype satellite developed with Planet. Launched 1 Oct 2026; Google says it has confirmed contact and the satellite is operating as expected. It will gather data on how the chips handle launch stress, radiation and thermal extremes in low Earth orbit. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Project Suncatcher: two prototype satellites with cross-links
Planet builds and operates two prototype satellites for Google to test TPUs working together over high-bandwidth inter-satellite links. [1] [2]
Vera Rubin Space-1 Module
NVIDIA's compute module for satellites and orbital data centers; its CEO said cooling in space is still being worked out. [1]
Linked in the tracker with
Aetherflux, Google, NVIDIA, Sophia Space
Independent tracker by CyberMax. Company and project names are used only to identify what is tracked; no affiliation with or endorsement by any company named. No third-party logos are used.