Google has confirmed ongoing discussions with SpaceX and other parties regarding prospective launches for Project Suncatcher, a satellite-based data centre initiative, reported Reuters.
The project involves deploying solar-powered satellites in orbit, each integrating Google’s Tensor Processing Units, to create an orbital AI cloud network.
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO) plans are closely linked to the development of space-based orbital data centres, which require significant capital and advanced technology.
Earlier reports from The Wall Street Journal pointed to these talks, while Reuters noted that SpaceX had not yet provided any comment when approached.
Anthropic recently entered an agreement to access the full computing capacity of SpaceX’s Colossus 1 facility, located in Memphis, Tennessee.
The facility contains more than 220,000 Nvidia processors and will provide Anthropic, the developer of the Claude chatbot, with 300MW of new capacity within a month.
Anthropic also expressed interest in partnering with SpaceX to develop large-scale, gigawatt-class space-based orbital data centres.
Meanwhile, Google and SpaceX, both significant rivals in the ongoing expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, are moving closer to direct competition in this sector.
Last month, Google and Intel announced a multiyear partnership to advance AI and cloud infrastructure.
Under this arrangement, both companies will collaborate to improve the integration of Intel Xeon processors and custom infrastructure processing units, with the goal of supporting and scaling complex AI platforms.
As the adoption of AI grows among organisations, demand for advanced and diverse infrastructure continues to rise. Central processing units remain important for data management, system orchestration and maintaining operational performance.
