Google needs Starship to launch 1,600 times for space data centers
google's space data center plan relies on spacex's starship launching 1,600 times to achieve cost-effective orbital compute, affecting future ai workloads.
google launched a prototype orbital compute satellite with a tpu on a spacex rocket to test its functionality in space. the satellite will run models in 15-minute bursts to avoid straining power and thermal systems. google's project suncatcher aims to develop large-scale compute clusters in orbit, with a network of 81 satellites processing in parallel. however, the company estimates that spacex's starship needs to launch 1,600 times before space data centers become cost-effective, requiring significant advancements in launch technology. this affects google's plan for future ai workloads in space.