Google Project Suncatcher is a new research moonshot to one day scale machine learning in space. Working backward from this potential future, they are exploring how an interconnected network of solar-powered satellites, equipped with our Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) AI chips, could harness the full power of the Sun. The next step is a learning …
In 2022, AMD completed Class B qualification for the company’s first space-grade Versal™ adaptive SoCs. The XQR Versal™ AI Core XQRVC1902 devices deliver full radiation tolerance, accelerated AI inferencing and high-bandwidth signal processing performance for satellite and space applications. The completion of Class B qualification, derived from the US military specification MIL-PRF-38535. The devices to …
AI data centers on earth face bottlenecks like intermittent solar power, massive water usage for cooling (up to 1.7 million tons per 40 MW facility over a decade), and grid constraints. Space offers near-constant solar exposure (up to 95% capacity factor in sun-synchronous orbits), zero water needs, and rapid deployment (2-3 months vs. years on …
Recent announcements highlight Samsung’s development of an AI-powered modem chip designed to enable direct satellite-to-device (D2D) connectivity with SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. This chip uses AI to optimize signal processing, beamforming, and interference management, allowing unmodified smartphones and devices to connect to low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites at gigabit speeds—even indoors or through obstacles like buildings and …
In 2026, SpaceX will be launching many of the larger V3 Starlink satellites from the reusable Starship. Dummy version of the V3 Starlink were launched on SpaceX Starship flight 10 and flight 11. Starlink V3’s 60 meter span is like a blue whale. AST Space Mobile Block 2’s array rivals a tennis court. Brian WangBrian …
Planet is launching Owl, their next-generation monitoring fleet. They will have a technical demonstration slated for launch late 2026. The Owl fleet moves into production and launch over the following years. Owl will be designed to deliver frequent, best-in-class imagery faster, enabling customers to receive imagery-enabled insights within as little as one hour of capture. …
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) is developing a space-based cellular broadband network that provides direct-to-cellphone connectivity worldwide. This would eliminate deadzones without requiring special antennas like existing satellite phones and will work on standard smartphones. Their satellites, known as BlueBird, are designed to deliver 4G/5G service from low Earth orbit (LEO) by beaming signals directly to unmodified …
NASA is working on photophoretic levitation to uase light-induced heating to create a force that lifts and propels specially designed structures in rarefied atmospheres, such as Earth’s mesosphere (approximately 50-80 km altitude). This involves metamaterial plates or 3D hollow geometries (e.g., cones, spheres, or rocket shapes) with porous sidewalls that act as Knudsen pumps: light …
SpaceX Starship 10 should launch today and they will try again to deploy dummy versions of Starlink Version 3 satellites. This could open up 5 times better cost to orbit even if the booster and the upper stage get lost after each payload is deployed. UPDATE: Live launch coverage will start in about two hours …
Aviation Week Joe Anselmo (Aviation Week’s editorial director), Garrett Reim (lead reporter), Irene Klotz (senior space editor), and Matthew Fulco (business editor) explores SpaceX’s Starlink broadband service as a juggernaut that has disrupted the space industry and geopolitics. Starlink has deployed over 9,000 satellites, serves 6 million users in 140 countries. It generates $15.5 billion …
According to Nielsen‘s measurement of televisions in the U.S. (mobile devices and other countries excluded), streaming was 44.8% while broadcast and cable viewing combined was 44.2% of all TV watched. This is the first time streaming has passed the total of broadcast and cable categories. Over the last four years streaming usage has increased 71% …