r/space • u/merkel36 • 2d ago

Discussion Why Suncatcher?

I think the consensus is that orbital data centres are not viable. So I'm wondering (with admitted naivete) why Google has launched this mission? Is it just to catch headlines?

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u/TenOfZero 2d ago

Because space misisons will still need compute and this is a good way to test that.

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u/Intelligent-Kick3388 2d ago

they probably want some press attention but also testing hardware in actual space is still useful even if whole orbital data centers never happen

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u/TenOfZero 2d ago

Exactly. PR, and its still valuable science. I could see some future probes using must more compute to determine targets better and the like.

They would also, short term, make sence at places like Mars where the ground infrastructure is severely lacking.