United States · Compute constellation
This project focuses on a constellation of satellites for computing in space.
Google and Planet launched the first Suncatcher prototype on October 1, 2026. On October 30 Google reported onboard Gemma 4 inference on a data-center-class TPU and successful response downlink through Svalbard, following early commissioning tests. Thermal-stress and radiation testing continue. The separate two-satellite interconnect experiment remains planned for 2027.
Google / Planet · Operator-reported onboard AI inference
Scope: Shared computing & storage · A shared computing or storage platform, or a program developing that infrastructure. Classification describes intended use, not operating capacity.
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Separate from the initial Transporter-18 TPU hardware-survival test.
As of
Primary source ↗Figures retain their disclosed units and scope. Launched hardware does not establish demonstrated performance; targets may change. Not disclosed means no figure in the reviewed sources.
Launch service for the first Project Suncatcher prototype satellite on the Transporter-18 rideshare mission.
Google confirms the mission and launch provider but does not disclose a contract, price or exact launch date.
Announced 24 Sept 2026 · Evidence checked 25 Sept 2026
Behind Project Suncatcher, our moonshot to put AI in space (opens in a new tab)Planet is to build and operate spacecraft for Google’s Suncatcher research program.
Disclosed collaboration; purchase value and contractual terms are not public. Excluded from awarded-contract counts.
Announced 4 Nov 2025 · Evidence checked 24 Sept 2026
Planet to build and operate Suncatcher platforms (opens in a new tab)Manual review 30 Oct 2026. Compared Google October30 response report with the recorded prototype. Onboard Gemma4 inference and Svalbard response downlink are reported demonstrations. Thermal/radiation reliability and the separate 2027 interconnect test remain future work. Primary body last observed 20 Oct, 00:40 UTC. Source monitoring: unavailable. Source collection and substantive profile review are separate checks. Plans and dates may change.
Google mission update · 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)Verified announcements and milestones linked to this project, newest first.
Google reported on October 30 that its Suncatcher prototype ran the Gemma 4 open model onboard a data-center-class TPU and returned its first AI response during ground-station passes including Svalbard. Follow-up prompts covered text generation and payload telemetry. Thermal-stress and radiation-reliability tests continue, ahead of a separate two-satellite interconnect experiment planned for 2027.
Planet says the Suncatcher prototype is healthy and progressing through calibration. No completed TPU workload results are disclosed.
NPR reports that Google and Planet’s first Suncatcher prototype launched on October 1 carrying four TPUs. Google intends to test AI workloads and hardware survival in orbit; thermal limits constrain planned runs to about 15 minutes at a time. A separate two-satellite link test remains planned for 2027.
Planet's company release confirms the Suncatcher prototype launched aboard Transporter-18, made initial contact and began commissioning. TPU testing remained forthcoming; this does not establish an operating data center.
An initial Transporter-18 mission will test hardware survival and cooling. Google described launch timing only as the following week; two satellites are planned for interconnect testing in 2027.
In its November 4, 2025 announcement, Planet said it would build and operate two prototype satellites for Google's Suncatcher research program, originally targeting early 2027. The mission would test TPUs in space, tandem operation and high-bandwidth cross-links, using a platform connected to Planet's Owl satellite-bus roadmap.
