Google has started a new test to see if its artificial intelligence (AI) computers can work in space. On 1 October, a company called SpaceX launched a small satellite for Google’s Project Suncatcher. The satellite is about the size of a fridge and contains four of Google’s special AI chips, made for running computer programmes.

Google is testing these chips in space because AI computers on Earth use a lot of electricity. Building more data centres, which are large buildings full of computers, is becoming a problem on Earth. These centres need lots of land, water, and electricity. In space, however, satellites can use solar panels to collect sunlight for power, with sunlight almost all the time.

If this test is successful, Google hopes to connect more satellites like this together in the future, making a data centre in space. For now, the four small chips will keep testing if they can work in space and use the Sun for power.