China launches first space supercomputer constellation

China has launched the first group of AI satellites in a constellation that will function as an orbital supercomputer, reducing dependence on processing on Earth. The 12 satellites, sent into orbit on a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Center, represent the beginning of a revolutionary project in space technology and artificial intelligence.

• 2,800 satellites for a space computing network

The project, called the "Three-Body Computing Constellation," is being developed by ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab and will include a total of 2,800 satellites. They will process huge volumes of data directly in space, using the unique conditions of the cosmic environment for natural cooling and energy efficiency. Each satellite is equipped with an AI model that reaches 744 TOPS (trillion operations per second). By comparison, Microsoft's Copilot+ laptops process at about 40 TOPS.

• AI Beyond Earth

"It's a good time to think about how to take AI into space, and not just on laptops or mobile phones," said Wang Jian, director of Zhejiang Lab, at the Beyond Expo conference in Macau. According to him, space has become the "new frontier" for long-term thinking about the evolution of artificial intelligence: "We're thinking about what we can do in the next 10, 20 or 50 years."

• Orbital processing, a solution to terrestrial limitations

Until now, data collected by satellites - whether for GPS, climate, telescopes or communications - had to be transmitted to Earth for processing. Limited bandwidth and short transmission windows meant that much data was lost or delayed. Processing directly in space eliminates these obstacles. The satellites use solar panels for power, and the heat generated is naturally discharged into outer space. In addition, the network will communicate via laser systems, ensuring a fast and efficient connection between the satellites.

• A scientific and literary tribute

The constellation's name - "Three-Body Computing Constellation" - is inspired by Isaac Newton's three-body problem, which refers to the difficulty of predicting the chaotic motion of three objects under the mutual gravitational influence. This theme was popularized in modern culture by the science fiction trilogy "The Three-Body Problem" written by Chinese author Liu Cixin, recently adapted into a series by Netflix.

• A step ahead of the US and Europe

While the US and Europe have tested processing technologies in space, China will be the first country to implement a functional network of orbital supercomputers. Once fully operational, the constellation will reach a combined processing capacity of 1,000 petaoperations per second, opening a new era for artificial intelligence and space exploration.