China commences assemblage of AI orbital supercomputer in space  

A significant milestone in computing and space technology has been reached as China has formally started the construction of what is expected to be the first supercomputer in space.

Chinese state media and official sources claim that the project is a component of China’s larger drive to take the lead in artificial intelligence and space-based infrastructure.

 The space-based supercomputer, delivered in modules aboard a cargo flight to the Tiangong space station, is meant to process massive amounts of data in orbit—eliminating the need to transfer large datasets back to Earth.

Research in space science, Earth observation, climate modeling, and real-time satellite data analysis could all be greatly accelerated by this invention.

READ ALSO: Nvidia unveils personal AI supercomputer which packs enough processing power  

These first spacecraft, which together provide five peta operations per second, are a component of a 2,800-satellite network that aims to achieve 1,000 POPS of computing power.

The goal of this celestial computing network is to use solar power and space-based heat radiation to overcome the restrictions of terrestrial data transmission and lower energy consumption.

According to the South China Morning Post, having a supercomputer in space has advantages beyond just speeding up communications. Due to factors like restricted bandwidth and ground station availability, the outlet reports that typical satellite transmissions are delayed and that “less than 10%” of satellite data reaches Earth.

Additionally, “Orbital data centers can use solar power and radiate their heat to space, reducing the energy needs and carbon footprint,” Harvard University astronomer and space historian Jonathan McDowell told the source. According to him, similar studies could be undertaken in the future by both the US and Europe, according to SCMP.

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