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Google’s Project Suncatcher to put ML infrastructure in space

233 points · 553 comments · xnx

sanj · 1790282348 · focus · HN ↗
Does anyone understand the math behind this bit?
> In the right orbit, a solar panel can be up to 8 times more productive than on earth....
1. gwbas1c · 1790282646 · focus · HN ↗
  Because the panel is positioned such that it's is always exposed to the sun.
  1: There is no night or day.
  2: There are no seasons.
  3: There is no weather.
  Basically, the primary motivating factor of putting AI in space is abundant solar energy. Otherwise, AI in space makes little to no economic sense.
  1. mey · 1790284279 · focus · HN ↗
    To build on the economic/practical issues.
    The useful life of cutting edge AI server hardware will require constant rotation of equipment to potentially remain competitive with more accessible solutions.
    Heat management ( <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-w6G7VEwNq0" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-w6G7VEwNq0 )
    Hardening of equipment for the environment. ECC isn't going to be enough. I would have to defer to experts about the best way to manage it, but it either means custom hardware, weight, or both.
    Repairs are impossible. Hopefully a sat can degrade gracefully, but routine repairs on earth become significant outages/decreases in economic value of a sat over time.
    Rocket launches have gotten much better, but are not perfect. Insurance is a thing. However, cost of equipment in a failed launch may be eye watering, rivaling a governmental military launch.

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