Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Google said Thursday it will launch a prototype satellite to assess how its AI chips perform in space, as part of the first in-orbit test of Project Suncatcher.

Project Suncatcher, which the company announced last year, is a long-term research initiative exploring whether space can host AI infrastructure, Google said.

The mission onboard SpaceX's (SPCX) upcoming Transporter-18 rideshare mission was developed in partnership with Planet (PL), Google said.

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