Part 11/13:
- Environmental Impact: Launching thousands of rockets raises concerns about emissions, orbital debris, and space traffic management, necessitating sustainable practices and regulations.
The Road Ahead: From Prototype to Full Deployment
Google’s timeline envisions initial prototypes by early 2027, with the goal of full-scale satellites supporting AI workloads by the mid-2030s. This would mark a revolutionary shift in AI infrastructure—moving from terrestrial to orbital platforms.
The researchers conclude that, based on current physics and economic models, space-based AI compute is feasible. While still in the conceptual and developmental stages, the promising research, prototypes, and cost models make it a compelling frontier worth watching.