StocksMedium•1 October 2026•
1 min read
SpaceX Launches Google AI Chips to Test Orbital Data Centers
Key Facts
1SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Google's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) prototypes into low Earth orbit.
2Alphabet's Project Suncatcher aims to explore hosting machine learning infrastructure in space to leverage abundant solar power.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Google-designed Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) prototypes into low Earth orbit. Reuters reported that the Transporter-18 mission aims to test the feasibility of operating data centers in space. Alphabet's Project Suncatcher intends to explore hosting machine learning infrastructure in orbit to leverage abundant solar power and bypass terrestrial energy constraints.
GOOGL was trading at $338.1347 on October 1, 2026, reaching a session high of $353.22. Meanwhile, SPCX closed at $150.86 on September 30, 2026. This first orbital test follows previous Alphabet testing of its TPUs at a specialized laboratory at the University of California, Davis, to evaluate processor performance in the space environment.