China Launches First Satellites for Space-Based Supercomputer

China has launched the first 12 satellites of its Three-Body Computing constellation, aiming to create a space-based supercomputer. The system plans to deploy 2,800 satellites capable of performing 1,000 peta operations per second (POPS). Each satellite incorporates an 8 billion-parameter AI model, processing data at 744 tera operations per second (TOPS). The initial 12 satellites can achieve a combined performance of 5 POPS. This system enables real-time data analysis in orbit, leveraging solar energy and the vacuum of space for cooling. High-speed laser links transmit data at 100 Gbps between satellites, creating an interconnected network. Developed by ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab, the platform aims for international collaboration. The system could be fully operational within the next decade, redefining edge computing by moving processing to space.