Big tech · United States
Google Research is testing whether solar-powered satellites carrying its TPUs could one day host machine-learning clusters; Planet built the first prototype, launched on 1 Oct 2026. It is a research effort with no commercial commitment, and Google ties the economics to launch prices of about $200/kg in the mid-2030s.
Shared launches: Transporter-18 (2026-10-01) with Planet.
Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown
Its first prototype satellite, built with Planet, launched on SpaceX Transporter-18 on 1 Oct 2026 and Google says it is operating as expected.[1]
What the stage means: Its own compute satellite flown.
DoneConfirmed
Project Suncatcher announced with a preprint
TPU proton radiation results, a 1.6 Tbps bench optical link, an illustrative 81-satellite cluster and launch-cost analysis.
Sources: Google Research; arXiv
DoneConfirmed
Planet named as prototype partner; plan of two prototypes by early 2027
Source: Google
DoneReported
Google reported in preliminary launch talks with SpaceX
Wall Street Journal report; no deal announced.
Source: GV Wire (WSJ report)
DoneConfirmed
First Suncatcher prototype launched on Transporter-18; contact confirmed
A single prototype satellite. Google says it is operating as expected. The New York Times (via IEEE ComSoc) and Payload describe it as an added minimum viable product ahead of the promised two-satellite mission, now stated as 2027. Reports (not Google) describe 4 TPUs, about 1 kW and 15 to 20 minute compute bursts.
Sources: Google; Planet (Business Wire); Tech Times; Payload
Targets as the organisation stated them. When a date moved, every move is listed with its source; a narrower window is shown as a narrowing.
2027 (Nov 2025 plan said "by early 2027")
Two-satellite mission testing inter-satellite laser links[1][2]
What to watch · SpaceNexus note, not a prediction
What Google publishes from the prototype, especially thermal duty cycle, and whether the two-satellite laser-link mission flies in 2027.
Dated promises with two sources for the promise and the outcome. No grades or ratings.
| Step | Promised | Outcome | Moved by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-satellite mission | by early 2027, said 4 Nov 2025[1] | Now stated as 2027; a single extra prototype flew 1 Oct 2026[1][2] | n/a |
| Figure | Value | Confidence and source |
|---|---|---|
| TPUs on the prototype | 4 Trillium TPUs | Reported[1][2][3] |
| Prototype solar power | 1 kW (approx., reported) | Reported[1][2] |
| Launch price needed for cost parity | 200 USD per kg, mid-2030s | Company claim[1] |
| Bench optical link | 1.6 Tbps (800 Gbps each way) | Confirmed[1] |
Travis Beals (lead author) · Blaise Aguera y Arcas · James Manyika
| Program | Stage | Verified funding | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Suncatcher (this page) | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | 2027: Two-satellite mission testing inter-satellite laser links |
| Aethero | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | $8.4M | Oct 2026: Titan: Jetson Thor compute cluster on EnduroSat FRAME-15 |
| Altair | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | 2027: The other nine satellites of the first ten |
| KP Labs | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | Mid-2026: Leopard DPU on ESA OPS-SAT VOLT |
| Orbital Chenguang | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | 2025 to 2027: First computing constellation and key technologies |
| Planet | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | 2027: Pair of Suncatcher satellites with Google |
| Space String | Stage 5 of 7: Own satellite flown | Not counted | Q4 2027: G1 verification satellite (11.5 kW compute payload) |
Evidence reviewed 5 Oct 2026, fact-checked against primary sources. Nothing on this page is sponsored, and no company can pay to change, reorder or preview it. Spotted an error? Report a correction. How stages and labels work.
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