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Google’s Suncatcher satellite goes online, tests Tensor chips in space

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Google’s Suncatcher prototype satellite is online and communicating with ground stations after launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
The satellite carries four Google Tensor Processing Units but can power only one at a time for about 20 minutes.
Google says the satellite operates nominally while tests will evaluate TPU performance under thermal stress and space radiation.
Google plans to launch two additional Suncatcher satellites in 2027 with higher power generation and inter-satellite optical links.

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Google’s Suncatcher prototype satellite is online and communicating with ground stations after launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.
The satellite carries four Google Tensor Processing Units but can power only one at a time for about 20 minutes.
Google says the satellite operates nominally while tests will evaluate TPU performance under thermal stress and space radiation.
Google plans to launch two additional Suncatcher satellites in 2027 with higher power generation and inter-satellite optical links.