21-May-2025 :

China has launched the first 12 satellites of its ambitious 2,800-satellite ‘Three-Body Computing Constellation,’ developed by ADA Space. The project aims to create the world’s first orbital supercomputing network using advanced AI and edge processing in space.
Each satellite features an onboard 8-billion parameter AI model and is capable of processing 744 trillion operations per second (TOPS). In total, the initial 12-satellite network provides a combined compute power of 5 peta operations per second (POPS).
Unlike traditional space assets that relay raw data back to Earth, these satellites will analyze data in orbit, reducing latency and bandwidth requirements. Communication between satellites reaches up to 100 Gbps, supporting real-time collaboration for distributed AI tasks.
The constellation will also offer 30TB of onboard storage per satellite, enabling in-situ data retention for time-sensitive missions like disaster response, climate modeling, and research.
According to Chinese authorities, the full constellation will scale to over 1,000 POPS—potentially three times more powerful than El Capitan, the top Earth-based supercomputer. The initiative sets a new benchmark for space-based infrastructure, blending AI, edge computing, and satellite networking to create a planetary-scale compute grid.