China launched a supercomputer... into orbit
Matt V
May 19, 2025
AI SPACE
China has just kicked off a major space tech project by launching 12 AI-powered satellites, the first wave of the planned 2,800-satellite network.
Built by ADA Space, partners, these satellites are designed to handle data processing in orbit, so they don’t need to send everything back to Earth.
Each one runs a hefty 8-billion parameter AI model and can perform 744 trillion operations per second.
Altogether, the 12 satellites already manage 5 peta operations per second, way beyond what’s needed for something like a Microsoft Copilot PC, which uses around 40 TOPS.
The end goal is a space-based network capable of hitting 1,000 POPS.
What you should know:
The satellites process data in space using onboard AI, cutting delays and easing pressure on ground stations.
The system’s already more powerful than many consumer AI setups.
Expect potential uses in emergencies, entertainment, and sustainable space tech.
Bro we’re putting ChatGPT in orbit now?
They’re not just smart, they’re also fast.
The satellites use lasers to communicate at up to 100 Gbps and share 30 terabytes of storage between them.
They also come loaded with scientific tools, including an X-ray detector, and can create 3D digital twin data for disaster response, gaming, and tourism.
Experts say having data centres in orbit could also lower energy use, since they can rely on solar power and naturally release heat into space.
Similar projects might pop up in the US and Europe too.
Earth data centres could never.