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China successfully launched the first cluster of 12 satellites of its ambitious Three-body computing constellation on May 14 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 2D rocket. The entire supercomputing network will have 2,800 satellites with a total computing capability of 1,000 peta operations per second (POPS). The twelve satellites presently in orbit are linked together via high-speed laser communication lines capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second. This endeavor will use the frigid vacuum as a natural cooling system, and it may be feasible to relocate AI processing from Earth to space. This initiative is being led by the companies ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab.
AI in orbit
According to a translated ADA Space release, each satellite in China's launch has an 8 billion-parameter AI model capable of doing 744 tera operations per second (TOPS). When combined, their computing power will be sufficient to do five peta operations per second.
Traditionally, satellites collected raw data and sent it back to Earth within limited bandwidths and transmission windows. This leads to data loss and processing delays. By processing data in space, the system reduces transmission requirements and takes use of solar power and natural cooling, lowering energy consumption and environmental effect.
Global Cooperation and Cosmological Inspiration
According to Wang Jian of Zhejiang Lab, the platform is available for worldwide usage, inviting other nations and organizations to contribute to its growth. Although the United States and Europe have tested space computers, China's array is the first to be deployed at an operational scale. Meanwhile, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has advocated sending data centers into space after purchasing a majority interest in the California-based launch business Relativity Space.
