In orbit, Google’s Project Suncatcher satellite server transmits its first AI response to Earth—a space haiku

First AI response in orbit

Google says its Project Suncatcher satellite has generated an initial response from space. After the satellite’s Tensor Processing Units booted successfully, its onboard Gemma 4 model was able to respond to a request for a haiku about space.

The company also tried other prompts, including space-related limericks and telemetry tasks. Google described the activity in a blog post published Friday.

A test for space-based computing

The first response demonstrates that the system can run a model aboard the satellite, but Google says more testing is planned. The company will assess processor performance amid heat stress and radiation exposure in orbit.

Interconnected satellites planned

Google said the next phase will involve a series of tests focused on whether its TPUs can operate reliably in space. The results will inform the company’s plans for a later milestone.

Google’s stated goal is to have two interconnected satellites in 2027. The company says confirming that its processors can handle workloads in orbit would help make that step possible.