Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to revolutionize our world, and harnessing the Sun's immense energy in space could unlock its full capabilities. Solar panels in space can be significantly more efficient than on Earth, offering nearly continuous power without the need for extensive battery storage. Project Suncatcher envisions a network of solar-powered satellites equipped with Google TPUs, connected via free-space optical links, to create a scalable AI infrastructure with minimal terrestrial impact. This innovative approach could pave the way for advanced AI systems, leveraging space-based resources to overcome foundational challenges like high-bandwidth communication and radiation effects on computing. This matters because developing a space-based AI infrastructure could lead to unprecedented advancements in technology and scientific discovery while preserving Earth's resources.
