China launches first AI satellites to build world's first supercomputer in orbit
China
has launched the first batch of satellites for its ambitious space-based supercomputing project, the Three-Body Computing Constellation. A Long March 2D rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, carrying 12 AI-powered satellites into orbit on May 14.
Each satellite is equipped with intelligent computing systems and high-speed laser communication links, enabling it to process data directly in space.
This marks a significant shift from traditional methods, where satellites collect data and transmit it back to Earth for processing, due to which less than 10 per cent of the collected data typically makes it back to Earth, often with significant delays.
5
5
Next
Stay
Playback speed
1x Normal
Back
0.25x
0.5x
1x Normal
1.5x
2x
5
5
/
Skip
Ads by
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The 18 Most Beautiful Hotel Swimming Pools You'll Wish You Could Dive Into!
12facts.com
Learn More
Undo
Developed by Zhejiang Lab, a research institute backed by the Zhejiang provincial government, the constellation aims to achieve a total computing capacity of 1,000 peta operations per second (POPS), or one quintillion operations per second, once fully deployed.
For context, the El Capitan
supercomputer
at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, considered one of the world's most powerful, achieves over 1.72 POPS.
Live Events
Jonathan McDowell, a space historian and astronomer at
Harvard University
, commented on the significance of this development: 'Orbital data centres can use solar power and radiate their heat to space, reducing the energy needs and carbon footprint,' he said. He added that this launch represents "the first substantial flight test of the networking part of this concept".
The satellites are interconnected through high-speed laser links capable of data transfer rates up to 100 gigabits per second. Collectively, the initial network offers a combined computing power of 5 POPS and 30 terabytes of on-board storage. They also carry a
space-based AI model
with 8 billion parameters, capable of processing raw satellite data directly in orbit.
Guoxing Aerospace, an AI satellite developer based in Chengdu, was responsible for developing the intelligent satellite platforms and overseeing satellite assembly. HiStarlink, a start-up specialising in laser communications, developed the high-speed optical terminals that enable data transfer between satellites in the network.
Data centres worldwide are projected to consume over 1,000 terawatt hours of electricity annually by 2026, equivalent to Japan's entire electricity consumption. Cooling these facilities also requires vast amounts of water; for instance, Google used 19.7 billion litres (5.2 billion gallons) to cool its data centres in 2022 alone.
By processing data directly in orbit, the Three-Body Computing Constellation could alleviate the strain on terrestrial resources and infrastructure. This development not only positions China at the forefront of space-based computing but also sets the stage for a new era in how humanity processes and manages data.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dark patterns alert: CCPA tells e-commerce platforms to self-audit for deceptive design practices; violators already under scanner
In a move to bolster digital consumer protection, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed all e-commerce platforms to conduct self-audits within three months to identify and eliminate 'dark patterns' — manipulative interface designs that mislead users into unintended actions. Issuing an advisory on Saturday, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said platforms must evaluate their digital interfaces for any features that could undermine consumer choice or amount to unfair trade practices. 'All e-commerce platforms have been advised to conduct self-audits… and take necessary steps to ensure that their platforms are free from such dark patterns,' the ministry said, as quoted PTI. Dark patterns include practices such as false urgency messages, hidden costs, forced subscription sign-ups, and disguised advertisements. In 2023, the government notified guidelines identifying 13 such deceptive tactics, including basket sneaking, confirm shaming, drip pricing, and interface interference. Platforms are also encouraged to submit self-declarations confirming that their services comply with these standards. The CCPA said such declarations would help build consumer trust and contribute to a more transparent digital marketplace. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubre cómo Amazon CFD puede ayudarte a invertir como un pro Empezar ahora Subscríbete Undo While the regulator did not name specific violators, it confirmed that notices have already been issued to platforms found breaching the anti-dark-pattern norms. The advisory follows the formation of a Joint Working Group comprising officials from government ministries, regulators, consumer groups, and legal academia. The group will monitor violations and recommend awareness initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of dark patterns in India's fast-growing e-commerce space. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
It's a first! Infosys launches cash reward policy for employees who help with hiring; staff to earn Rs 700 per interview
The scheme awards 700 points (Rs 700) for each interview conducted. (AI image) Infosys , India's second-largest software company, has launched a new initiative offering cash rewards to senior staff members who participate in lateral recruitment interviews, aiming to enhance staff engagement. The Bengaluru-based IT firm has introduced this incentive-driven scheme for the first time. The cash benefits are restricted to recruitment within India. This initiative recognises staff contribution to the interview process during a period when the IT industry is prioritising lateral recruitment over campus placements. A staff member indicated that this initiative aims to motivate team managers and mid-level leadership to acquire external talent and encourage employees to connect with high-calibre candidates. The scheme awards 700 points (Rs 700) for each interview conducted. Staff members can claim rewards for interviews dating back to January 1, as the programme is being implemented with retrospective effect, according to sources who spoke to ET. At the organisation, technical professionals including track leads, architects and project managers at job levels 5 and 6 (JL5 & JL6) regularly conduct 2-3 rounds of interviews with candidates selected by the talent acquisition team for lateral recruitment, before proceeding to the HR stage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo Also Read | Infosys staff gets bonus letters; most employees get just 50% payout, some receive 70% Under Salil Parekh's leadership, Infosys organises recruitment sessions during weekends, attracting numerous applicants. During these events, staff members can conduct 10-15 interviews daily, evaluating candidates' proficiency in software technologies including Python, Java, Machine Learning, DevOps, and others. The monetary incentive serves to boost interview participation. The organisation has not included HR personnel, talent acquisition staff, contractors and senior leadership positions from participating in the incentive scheme. The reward cannot be claimed for cancelled interviews or when candidates fail to appear. The $280 billion software services industry faces a scarcity of skilled professionals, particularly in AI, whilst dealing with growth challenges caused by declining global demand and trade conflicts in primary markets. The initiative was introduced to address concerns among employees who received modest salary increases of 5-8% for FY24, coupled with reduced performance bonuses for the March quarter. "Earlier, we did not get any such cash incentive for interviews done. In fact, the company gave us compensatory leaves for the interviews conducted at the campus over the weekends," the employee said. Although this practice isn't widespread, several prominent and medium-sized technology organisations, including Honeywell, Accenture and Sonata Software, provide monetary and non-monetary benefits to motivate staff participation in interview panels, ensuring the recruitment of top industry talent. Also Read | Apple's biggest contract manufacturer Foxconn readies 300-acre iPhone making campus in India with dorms for 30,000 employees Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
10 smallest animals on Earth and where they are found
W hile some animals are known for their massive size and power, others capture attention simply by being incredibly tiny. Here are 10 of the smallest animals from around the world. Paedophryne Amauensis (7.7 mm) Found in the rainforests of New Guinea, this little frog is the world's smallest known vertebrate. Only 7.7 mm long, it could easily sit on the tip of your finger. It lives on leaf litter and is so small that its croak sounds more like a bug's chirp. Paedocypris (7.9 mm) This tiny fish, which inhabits Indonesia's peat swamps in Sumatra. It is barely 8 mm long making it shorter than a grain of rice. Paedocypris lives in acidic conditions in which only few other animals can. Its translucent body and tolerance to poor conditions make this fish a marvel of evolution. Slender Blind Snake (11 cm) Looking more like a piece of thread than a snake, the Slender Blind Snake is a master of the underground. Only about 11 cm long, it tunnels through soil across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Blind and venom-free, it preys on ants and termites, extracting nutrients with surgical precision. Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat (30–40 mm) Commonly referred to as the Bumblebee Bat, this wing wonder is the world's smallest bat and lighter than a penny. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Found in Thailand and Myanmar, it inhabits caves and measures 30–40 mm in length. Its pig-like nose is what it's named after. Despite its size, it plays a big role in insect control. Speckled Padloper Tortoise (6–10 cm) This tiny tortoise from South Africa measures only 6 to 10 cm, making it the smallest in the world. They are covered in speckled shells that blend with the rocky terrain. They forage on small plants and squeeze into crevices to escape predators. Though small, they have a strong survival instinct that makes them unique. Etruscan Shrew (36–53 mm) With a weight of only up to 2.7 grams, the Etruscan Shrew is the smallest mammal on the planet. It measures only 36–53 mm in length yet has a brain to body ratio larger than that of humans. Found across Europe and parts of Asia, this insectivore eats constantly to keep up its energy. Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur (92 mm) Found only in Madagascar, this is the smallest primate in the world at just 92 mm long. With big eyes and a curious face, it's active at night, darting through treetops in search of insects and fruit. Its mini size allows it to move silently and hide easily. This mouse lemur is named after conservationist Berthe Rakotosamimanana. Pygmy Marmoset (14–16 cm) Known as the world's smallest monkey, the Pygmy Marmoset is native to the Amazon rainforest. At just 14–16 cm long (excluding the tail) and weighing about 100 grams, they look like adorable plush toys. These agile climbers live in treetops and communicate with whistles and squeaks. They're fast, social, and fun to watch and a little mischievous. Pygmy Rabbit (24–29 cm) The pygmy rabbit is the most petite of the rabbit species. They are located predominantly in North America. They weigh only 400 grams and reach a length of 24–29 cm. Their short ears, round shape, and soft coat ensure that they are geared towards life in cold climates. Bee Hummingbird (5.7 cm) The globe's smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird, inhabits Cuba alone. It measures 5.7 cm and weighs less than a dime. It zips around like a bee and even makes the same noise. Though small, it flips its wings 80 times per second and constructs a nest as big as a bottle cap. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
