Google is in talks with SpaceX about launching AI data centers into orbit, according to reporting that cites people familiar with the discussions. The effort would build on Google’s Project Suncatcher, an initiative unveiled last year to test whether satellites carrying its Tensor Processing Units could support compute workloads in space starting in 2027.
The concept has drawn interest because orbital systems could rely on continuous solar power, but launch and satellite construction costs remain a major obstacle. Google is also said to be speaking with other rocket-launch companies as it evaluates the plan.
SpaceX has emerged as a leading candidate because of its dominant role in commercial launches and its own growing interest in orbital compute. The company recently partnered with Anthropic on related infrastructure plans, and Elon Musk has said SpaceX and xAI are working toward large-scale orbital data satellites.
The reports follow broader industry efforts to explore whether space-based computing can become economically viable.