Google wants to put data centers in space
Listen to the story (South African accent)
Google wants to put AI data centers in space. They want to test this plan in space in 2027.
Google thinks they can use about 80 satellites for the data centers. The satellites will fly around Earth, about 640 kilometers up in the sky. The satellites will hold the fast computers needed for AI.
Sending things to space is getting cheaper. Google thinks space data centers might cost the same as Earth data centers in a few years.
Space data centers can use solar power. Solar panels work better in space. This system will use less water than data centers on Earth. Earth data centers need water to stay cool.
But launching a rocket up makes a lot of pollution.
Astronomers are worried. Too many satellites in the sky can make it hard to see the stars.
The Google space data centers are called Project Suncatcher. The data centers will send information back to Earth using lasers.
Vocabulary20 words
- 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
- Plan
- A detailed idea or strategy to reach a goal; a method, idea or process to achieve a goal;
- 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 🌎
- Sky
- The air above us that looks blue in the daytime;
- Solar power
- Energy that comes from the sun and can be used to generate/create electricity
- Solar panel
- a device that changes energy from the sun into electricity; ☀️⚡🔌
- System
- A group of things that work together; A way things work together; a set of connected things or devices that operate together;
- Cool
- 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
- Rocket
- a powerful vehicle that travels through space 🚀
- Pollution
- Trash or dirt that makes the air, land, or water unclean; damage caused to water, air, etc. by harmful substances like chemicals or waste;
- Astronomer
- a person who studies space and things in space; 🔭
- Worried
- Feeling nervous or concerned; having a feeling that something bad happened or will happen
- Star
- A very hot, bright ball of gas far away in space; ⭐
- Called
- Named; To give something a name
- Laser
- A strong, thin beam of light;
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Google _____ to put AI data centers in space. They want to test this plan in _____ in 2027.
Google thinks they can use about _____ satellites for the data centers. The satellites will fly around _____ , about 640 kilometers up in the sky. The satellites _____ hold the fast computers needed for AI.
Sending things to space _____ getting cheaper. Google thinks space data centers _____ cost the same as Earth data centers in a few years.
Space data centers _____ use solar power. Solar panels work better in space. This _____ will use less water than data centers on _____ . Earth data centers need water to stay _____ .
But launching a rocket up makes a _____ of pollution.
Astronomers are worried. Too _____ satellites in the sky can make it hard to see the _____ .
The Google space data _____ are called Project Suncatcher. The data centers will _____ information back to Earth using lasers.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it is a good idea for Google to put computers in space? Why or why not?
- The satellites will use the sun for power. Is this a better way to get energy than power on Earth?
- Astronomers are worried that the satellites will make it hard to see stars. Is seeing the stars more important than having faster AI computers?
- Google thinks the space computers will be cheaper soon. If it saves money, should companies always use space instead of Earth?
- The computers will be very far away. What do you think is the biggest problem Google will have with this plan?
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