I am sure that power supply, grid connections, and data center construction will be among AI’s biggest bottlenecks in the coming years.

Google’s Project Suncatcher explores an interesting possibility: moving AI compute into orbit, with TPU-equipped satellites connected by lasers.

Google says solar panels in the right orbit could be up to 8x more productive than on Earth, thanks to near-continuous sunlight.

It sounds crazy, but the potential is enormous: Scaling compute without waiting for terrestrial grid connections would be a major advantage. Cooling, launch costs, and reliable connections between satellites still need to be solved.

The first step is a prototype developed with Planet, scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission.

SpaceX could end up being one of the biggest winners here. Making orbital compute economical would require affordable, frequent launches. That could turn the AI infrastructure boom into a major new source of demand for SpaceX.