UPSC-Relevant News Items

1. Google Launches Project Suncatcher to Deploy Solar-Powered Data Centres in Space by 2027

Page: 3

Summary:

• Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term initiative to place solar-powered data centers into satellite constellations by 2027.
• These centers will utilize Google's Tensor Processing Units and high-volume optical links, leveraging constant solar radiation available in space.
• The initiative aims to address the high energy and water demands of terrestrial AI data centers and bypass vulnerability to natural disasters and power outages.

Additional Facts:

• Satellite constellation deployment requires adherence to licensing, launch authorization, and debris mitigation standards set by national space agencies based on guidelines from the UN Outer Space Treaty.
• Communication systems for such space infrastructure must comply with international frequency allocation standards overseen by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), while data processing is governed by relevant national IT acts.

Linkage with UPSC course:

• General

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