Latest news with #ThreeBodyComputingConstellation
Sustainability Times
20-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They're Putting It in Space to Dominate': China's Orbital Supercomputer Leaves Global Tech Powers Scrambling to Catch Up
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 China has launched 12 satellites as part of the Three-Body Computing Constellation to perform space-based data processing. has launched 12 satellites as part of the to perform space-based data processing. 💡 The constellation aims to achieve a computing capacity of 1,000 peta operations per second , potentially surpassing terrestrial supercomputers. , potentially surpassing terrestrial supercomputers. 🌍 Equipped with tools for Earth observation and 3D terrain mapping , the satellites support diverse applications, including public safety and research. and , the satellites support diverse applications, including public safety and research. 🤝 China is open to international collaboration, aiming to develop a smart, interconnected orbital infrastructure accessible globally. Recent advancements in space technology are reshaping our understanding of data processing, with China at the forefront of this transformation. The nation has embarked on an ambitious project to establish a supercomputer network in space, leveraging a constellation of satellites to perform real-time, space-based data processing. This groundbreaking initiative, known as the Three-Body Computing Constellation, promises to revolutionize how we handle data by shifting processing power from Earth to the vast expanse of outer space. This leap towards orbital computing marks a significant milestone in the integration of artificial intelligence with space technology. The Launch of a Revolutionary Satellite Network On May 14, a major step was taken in realizing China's vision of orbital computing with the launch of 12 satellites from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. These satellites are the initial components of a planned fleet of 2,800, designed to enable space-based data processing. This project is a collaborative effort between ADA Space, a Chinese aerospace startup, and the state-backed Zhijiang Laboratory. The satellites are equipped with AI models comprising 8 billion parameters, capable of performing up to 5 peta operations per second (POPS). Once the full network is operational, it is expected to reach a staggering 1,000 POPS, potentially surpassing the capabilities of the most advanced terrestrial supercomputers. The initiative represents a shift in how data is processed by allowing for calculations to occur in space, thereby avoiding the delays associated with transmitting information back to Earth. The satellites are interconnected through laser communication links, transmitting data at speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second, and each satellite boasts a storage capacity of 30 terabytes. This interconnected mesh operates as a single distributed computer in low Earth orbit, paving the way for unprecedented computational efficiency. 'They Can Dodge Anything We Throw at Them': China's Secret Algorithm Outsmarts Even America's Most Advanced Hypersonic Defenses Scientific Payloads and Strategic Objectives Beyond its impressive computing power, the Three-Body Computing Constellation serves multiple scientific and strategic purposes. Each satellite is equipped with instruments for real-time Earth observation, 3D terrain mapping, and cosmic X-ray burst detection. These capabilities support diverse applications, from emergency response to research and commercial services. ADA Space envisions the generation of 'digital twins' of Earth's terrain, offering real-time insights for various industries, including agriculture and national defense. Moreover, one satellite features an X-ray polarization detector aimed at capturing high-energy cosmic events, such as gamma-ray bursts, marking a new venture into astrophysical research. This project aligns with China's broader goals of advancing industrial and economic development. Data generated from the constellation will feed into development zones like the Neijiang high-tech zone, fostering a local ecosystem centered on smart satellite data services. This integration of satellite technology with AI at scale underscores China's ambition to lead in space infrastructure and digital technology. 'They Finally Saw It!': James Webb Captures 14 Herculis c, the Mysterious Exoplanet Hidden in Darkness for Over Two Decades A Push for Global Collaboration While the Three-Body Computing Constellation is a distinctly national project, China has expressed openness to international collaboration. ADA Space, in particular, aims to work with international partners, especially countries in the Global South, to develop a 'smart, interconnected, low-carbon, globally accessible and sustainable' orbital infrastructure. This openness to global cooperation reflects a strategic approach to fostering international partnerships in space technology. During the Beyond Expo technology conference in Macau, Wang Jian emphasized the importance of space as a new frontier for AI development. The constellation's name, inspired by Liu Cixin's science fiction novel 'The Three-Body Problem,' alludes to the complexities of gravitational systems and interstellar cooperation. By leading in the development of orbital computing, China seeks to redefine how data is gathered, processed, and utilized in space, setting the stage for future advancements in the field. 'Unlocking a Cosmic Code': Alien Math Language Reveals Secrets of the Universe in This Groundbreaking 320-Page Report by Top Scientists Implications for the Future of Space-Based AI The deployment of the Three-Body Computing Constellation signals China's intent to lead in the emerging space-based AI race. Although other space agencies and private firms have tested limited orbital computing capabilities, China's project represents the first operational attempt to construct a computing array at such a large scale. This initiative not only showcases China's technological prowess but also highlights the country's strategic vision for the future of space-based data processing. In parallel, notable figures like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt have proposed launching large-scale data centers into orbit, recognizing the immense demand for computational power. With projections indicating that data centers could consume up to 96 gigawatts globally by 2030, the need for innovative solutions like orbital computing becomes increasingly apparent. As China continues to develop the Three-Body Computing Constellation, the world watches closely, anticipating the transformative impact of this pioneering project on the future of data processing and artificial intelligence. As the Three-Body Computing Constellation progresses, it raises intriguing questions about the future of space-based technology. Will this initiative set a new standard for how data is processed and utilized in space? How will international collaboration shape the development of this ambitious project, and what implications will it have for the global landscape of artificial intelligence? The answers to these questions will define the next era of technological innovation and exploration. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China Is Building an AI-Powered Supercomputer Network in Space
China is launching a space-bound AI supercomputer — and the first batch of the satellites it's comprised of was just sent up. As the South China Morning Post reports, the so-called "Three-Body Computing Constellation" project launched the first 12 of its planned 2,800 satellites last week from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The orbital supercomputer network will, when complete, allow for rapid in-orbit data processing rather than relying on terrestrial computing facilities to relay information to Earth and then back up to space. It also doesn't require the copious amounts of water ground-based computers need to stay cool. Each satellite, the SCMP notes, carries an eight-billion-parameter AI model that can process raw data in orbit. Paired with the satellites' massive computing power of one quintillion operations per second, the constellation is expected, when complete, to rival the world's most powerful terrestrial supercomputers. Launched from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, each satellite carries, per a statement from the ADA Space startup that helped launch the constellation, unique scientific payloads that can do everything from detect gamma ray bursts to create "digital twins" of Earth terrain for emergency services and other industries. While the concept of orbital computing is nothing new, this project is, as Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell told SCMP, "the first substantial flight test" of the gambit. As McDowell pointed out, theoretical space cloud computing projects are "very fashionable" right now, with private companies like Axiom Space and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin planning their own orbital computing satellites. Unlike terrestrial data centers, which, according to the International Energy Agency are on track to use as much energy as Japan by 2026, orbital data centers can "use solar power and radiate their heat to space, reducing the energy needs and carbon footprint," as McDowell told SCMP. With the launch of the first of its 2,800 satellites, China's orbital supercomputer puts the country ahead of the United States in the rival countries' space race, though there's no telling which will actually cross the finish line first. More on the space race: White House Announces It Can Now "Manipulate Time and Space"
