Google launches first TPU orbital computing satellite

On 2 October 2026, TechCrunch reported that Google's orbital computing satellite prototype lifted off from California on a SpaceX rocket, sending a TPU into space for the first time to verify the chip's on-orbit power, heat dissipation and model-running capabilities. In the same report, Google estimated that Starship would need 1,800 launches to support a space data centre. Earlier reports said Google had launched its first TPU orbital computing satellite but did not mention the specific launch time, the rocket provider or the Starship launch-count estimate; later reports added these details. The prototype satellite is now in orbit, and on-orbit verification of the TPU is still pending.

Written by AI from the reports · updated 14 d ago