Revision History

Reworded the passages on commissioning, the first in-orbit response and the TPU power limits; no facts changed

Update: Oct 30, 2026 first AI response (Gemma 4 haiku) from the prototype satellite; status section with catalog designation (2026-227V, NORAD 100902), orbit and operating limits; NPR/TechCrunch launch and radiation details; Starship launch figures

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Link The Space Wiki for spaceflight subjects

Correction: the first prototype launched on October 1, 2026, lifting off at 11:32 a.m. PT, so the lead, launch section and timeline no longer describe the launch as upcoming; the project's paper now has a peer-reviewed Joule version, which gives a maximum tested radiation dose of 10 krad(Si) against 15 krad(Si) in the preprints. Also added Google's October 1 update and pointed a press-release reference to the original.

Added October 1 launch outcome and initial commissioning status

Update: Space.com reference date (verifier V2)

Update: launch status re-checked 28 Sep 2026 (SpaceX still targets 1 Oct; Space Launch Schedule GO); added Space.com/NYT one-year operating-life report alongside Ars 'few months'; Crocker Lab bit-flip testing detail and 'hold up remarkably well' from Google's update; four-part YouTube playlist; Google's X article; Yahoo Finance note that spending is undisclosed.

Correction: Transporter-18 window per SpaceX (opens 18:18 UTC Oct 1, backup Oct 2; payload Project Suncatcher M1), not a tracker's 18:08-20:09; Reuters cited to original wire copy; paper paraphrase (V1)

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