Google wants to put data centers in space

Google plans to put AI data centers in space. The first test equipment will be sent into orbit in early 2027.

Google scientists think they can use about 80 solar-powered satellites. This group of satellites will orbit about 640 kilometers above Earth. They will hold powerful processors needed for AI.

Sending rockets to space is getting cheaper. Google research shows that by the mid-2030s, operating a space data center might cost the same as operating one on Earth.

These space data centers can use the sun for power. Solar panels in space are much more effective than on Earth. This system would also use less land and water than Earth-based centers, which need resources for cooling. However, launching one rocket makes a lot of carbon dioxide.

Astronomers are worried that too many satellites in orbit will make it hard to see stars and planets.

The space data centers, named Project Suncatcher, will send their data back to Earth using light or laser beams.

Google said that space may be the best place to make AI computers bigger in the future. They said that space has almost unlimited, cheap, clean energy. Even though launching a rocket pollutes the air, using space power over time will make less carbon dioxide.

Elon Musk’s companies are also planning space data centers.

Google plans to launch two test satellites in early 2027. They think that this is an important first step. But they also say there are still major difficulties, like keeping the systems cool and sending data quickly back to Earth.

Vocabulary

• Plan – want; aim; to intend to do something
• Artificial intelligence (AI) – human intelligence in a machine. See more here.
• Data center – a large building that has many computers for storage
• Space – the area outside of Earth with stars and darkness; 🌌
• Test – to do something to learn if it is safe, works correctly, etc.; try out; to try
• Equipment – machines; tools; gear; hardware
• Orbit – the curved path that something (such as a moon or satellite) follows as it goes around something else (such as a planet); (The moon orbits the Earth)
• Scientist – a person who studies science or the natural world; researcher; 👨‍🔬🥼🧪🔬
• Solar-powered –
• Satellite – a machine in space that flies around the world; a computer in space that sends information to Earth
• Earth – the planet/world we live on 🌎
• Powerful – Very strong
• Processor – an important computer chip that does “thinking” and calculating; 
• Rocket – a powerful vehicle that travels through space 🚀
• Research – the process/act of studying something to learn more about it and gain new understanding
• Show – to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known; confirm; demonstrate; to display; to represent; to make known
• Mid – The middle of something;
• Operate – to manage; run; use; to control or use a machine; conduct
• Power – energy; electricity ⚡
• Solar panel – a device that changes energy from the sun into electricity; ☀️⚡🔌
• Effective – when something works well and does what it is supposed to do
• Earth-Based – located or operating on Earth 🌍
• Resource – natural things such as water, wood, food, oil, etc. which are valuable in supporting life and industry
• Cooling – Making something less hot, often by using air or water
• Launch – to shoot; to fire; to push; to throw; to send something into space or the sky
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) – a colorless gas formed during the combustion of any material containing carbon; a greenhouse gas
• Astronomer – a person who studies space and things in space
• Planet – a large object in space that orbits (goes around) a star (Earth is a planet 🌍)
• Name – To give something/someone a name; call
• Data – Information or facts that are collected and stored/kept
• Laser beam – A thin, strong, focused line of light, sometimes used to send information
• Unlimited – Having no end or never running out
• Clean energy – energy generated/created from renewable sources (wind, solar, water, etc.) without creating greenhouse gasses (CO2); renewable energy; green energy 
• Even though – although; despite the fact that; a phrase used to show a contrast or contradiction between two things; 
• Pollute – to make dirty, to poison
• Over time – gradually; as time passes; refers to a change or development that happens slowly
• First step – The beginning of a plan or process; the first thing you do for a project or plan
• Difficulty – Something that is hard to do or a problem that must be fixed

Quiz

Discussion Questions

• Do you think putting data centers in space is a good idea? Why or why not?
• The text mentions that rocket launches cause carbon pollution. Do you think the benefit of clean energy in space is worth this pollution?
• Astronomers worry that the new satellites will make it hard to see the stars. If you were a leader, whose concerns would you prioritize: the scientists who need AI or the astronomers?
• The cost of operating a space data center might be the same as an Earth one by the mid-2030s. What might be another good reason, besides cost, to move technology to space?

• English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
• English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.

Original Story

Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice

Google _____ to put AI data centers in space. The first _____ equipment will be sent into orbit in early _____ .
Google scientists think they can use _____ 80 solar-powered satellites. This group of satellites will orbit about 640 _____ above Earth. They will hold powerful processors needed for AI.

_____ rockets to space is getting cheaper. Google research _____ that by the mid-2030s, operating a space data center might cost the _____ as operating one on Earth.

These space data _____ can use the sun for power. Solar panels in space are _____ more effective than on Earth. This system _____ also use less land and water than Earth-based centers, which need _____ for cooling. However, launching one _____ makes a lot of carbon dioxide.

Astronomers _____ worried that too many satellites in orbit will make it _____ to see stars and planets.
The space data centers, _____ Project Suncatcher, will send their data back to Earth using _____ or laser beams.

Google said _____ space may be the best place to make AI _____ bigger in the future. They said that space has almost _____ , cheap, clean energy. Even though launching a rocket _____ the air, using space power over time will make less _____ dioxide.

Elon Musk’s companies are _____ planning space data centers.

Google _____ to launch two test satellites in early _____ . They think that this is an important first step. But they also say there _____ still major difficulties, like keeping the systems cool and sending data _____ back to Earth.