We’re sending TPUs to space (yes, really).
After years of research, we’re launching a satellite to evaluate if and how Google Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) hold up in orbit.
The test mission, as part of our latest moonshot — Project Suncatcher — is designed to gather data exploring how we can one day host machine learning infrastructure in space.
ALT White text on a black background with photos of a TPU and a rocket orbiting Earth. The text reads: “Meet Project Suncatcher, our moonshot to test whether we can host AI infrastructure in space.”
ALT An image showing circuit boards, overlaid with text that reads: “We partnered with Planet to send a prototype satellite carrying four TPUs into orbit. We’ll be looking to see how well the TPUs withstand the harsh conditions of space to assess whether we can eventually host machine learning in orbit.”
This week, we released two new audio models for creative production and cost-efficient speech at scale.
Hear what's possible with Gemini 3.8 Flash TTS and Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite TTS 🧵
Control tone, pacing, and expressive nuance.
See how you can add scripted vocal bursts and backchanneling using non verbal cues like <laughs>, <sigh>, <gasp> and active-listening interjections (like |mhm| or|yeah|).
For the first time, a group of researchers — including scientists from @GoogleResearch and HHMI Janelia — built the first complete brain map for a male fruit fly. Together, we mapped every single neural connection in a male fruit fly brain and central nervous system, amounting to more than 166,000 neurons.
Here’s why we did it.
ALT A colorful 3D reconstruction of a connectome shows the map of over 166,000 neurons and 125 million connections in a male fruit fly's brain and nerve cord.
ALT A fruit fly connectome map text with scattered fruit fly images. The text reads: "With it, we can compare our new map to other connectomes of the female fly brain, including our 2020 hemibrain project with partners. Having maps for both fruit fly sexes allows researchers to pinpoint exact structural brain differences and study how they drive specific biological behaviors.”
ALT A 3D visualization of a fruit fly brain map in vibrant colors is shown alongside text explaining how mapping fruit fly nervous systems using AI helps us understand brain function and neural repair.
ALT A colourful 3D brain connectivity map shown alongside text about mapping neurons in fruit flies to better understand human brains.
After years of research, Project Suncatcher is scheduled to embark on its first test in orbit, launching a prototype satellite to evaluate how Google Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) perform in space. Learn more about the science behind this moonshot. ⬇️
We’re sending TPUs to space (yes, really).
After years of research, we’re launching a satellite to evaluate if and how Google Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) hold up in orbit.
The test mission, as part of our latest moonshot — Project Suncatcher — is designed to gather data exploring how we can one day host machine learning infrastructure in space.
ALT White text on a black background with photos of a TPU and a rocket orbiting Earth. The text reads: “Meet Project Suncatcher, our moonshot to test whether we can host AI infrastructure in space.”
ALT An image showing circuit boards, overlaid with text that reads: “We partnered with Planet to send a prototype satellite carrying four TPUs into orbit. We’ll be looking to see how well the TPUs withstand the harsh conditions of space to assess whether we can eventually host machine learning in orbit.”
We partnered with @planet to send a prototype satellite carrying four TPUs into orbit.
We’ll be looking to see how well the TPUs withstand the harsh conditions of space to assess whether we can eventually host machine learning in orbit.
ALT A person wearing glasses stands in a dark laboratory space beneath white text that reads: “This launch is our chance to learn what works, what doesn’t, and how we adapt. Future satellite designs will each carry dozens of TPU chips while orbiting the Earth in clusters, allowing them to manage bigger AI workloads.”
Can our TPUs survive and operate in space? Well, we're going to find out.
Project Suncatcher is hitching a ride aboard @SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, testing a prototype satellite built in partnership with @planet
One small step for TPUs....
🔎 Dive deep on topics
We’re expanding Gemini in Chrome so it can identify key takeaways, find specific information, or clarify confusing moments on almost any audio or video file once you’ve played it through.
↪️ Switch between devices
Send tabs from your laptop to your phone (or vice versa) with your exact scroll position and your progress saved so you can pick up right where you left off.