China Begins Assembling AI Supercomputer in Space
China has launched 12 satellites into space as part of a project to launch a network of orbital supercomputers led by startup ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab.
The Long March 2D rocket took off on May 14 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The 12 satellites launched into orbit form the Three-Body Computing Constellation, an ambitious Chinese project to create a global orbital satellite system designed for distributed computing and artificial intelligence. The network will process data in space rather than on the ground, reducing dependence on ground infrastructure.
According to SCMP , the advantage of a space supercomputer goes beyond saving time on communications. Traditional transmission of information results in the loss of more than 90% of data due to limited bandwidth and accessibility issues with ground stations.
"Orbital data centers could harness solar power and radiate their heat into space, reducing energy needs and reducing the carbon footprint," said astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.
he satellites are equipped with laser links to communicate with each other at speeds of up to 100 Gbps and “advanced capabilities” of artificial intelligence. Each has an AI model with 8 billion parameters on board and is capable of performing 744TOPS— a measure of computing performance. According to ADA Space, the satellites can collectively perform fivePOPS.
One of the devices carries a cosmic X-ray polarimeter that will detect, identify and classifytransition events, such as gamma-ray bursts, while simultaneously sending out signals that allow other missions to make follow-up observations.
ADA Space noted that the orbital modules sent represent the world's first dedicated computing constellation, marking a shift from satellites focused solely on sensing or communications to devices that also serve as data processors and artificial intelligence platforms.
The system is part of a broader program called Stellar Computing, which plans to build a massive orbital network of 2,800 satellites that the company believes will be able to meet the growing demand for real-time computing in space.
ADA Space was founded in 2018 and specializes in satellite technology and AI-powered space computing.
Recall that in September 2024, the Institute for the Search for Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life turned to artificial intelligence and machine learning to search for signs of aliens.
