PowerBank Corporation (Nasdaq: SUUN) provided an expanded update on its ongoing collaboration with Smartlink AI’s Orbit AI project, confirming that the Genesis-1 satellite, launched on December 10, 2025, is now operational and running an artificial intelligence model directly in Earth orbit — a milestone that the company says helps validate the emerging field of orbital AI compute infrastructure.
Genesis-1: First Node of Orbital AI Network
According to PowerBank, the Genesis-1 satellite represents the first operational element of a planned Orbit AI satellite network designed to deliver in-space AI processing rather than relying exclusively on terrestrial data centers. By processing data on orbit, the initiative aims to address challenges such as terrestrial power demand, cooling constraints, and land limitations — factors seen as potential bottlenecks for future AI workloads on Earth.
Smartlink AI is targeting a second satellite launch in Q1 2026, with additional launches planned thereafter as part of its expansion strategy. Genesis-1’s success serves as an early proof of concept for the larger constellation vision, which envisions coordinated compute and networking capabilities across multiple low-Earth orbit (LEO) nodes.
PowerBank’s Role & Strategic Focus
PowerBank emphasized its continued partnership role in the Orbit AI project. While the company elected not to invest directly in Smartlink AI, it expects to contribute crucial technologies as the network grows — particularly solar energy generation and adaptive thermal control systems that support satellite payload compute scaling. These contributions align with PowerBank’s core strengths in renewable energy infrastructure, where it develops and operates community and distributed solar plus battery storage projects in North America.
PowerBank cautioned that certain operational metrics referenced in the update are provided by Smartlink AI and not independently verified. The firm also noted that specific remuneration terms for potential services — such as solar and thermal support — have not yet been finalized.
Industry Context & Growth Potential
The Orbit AI initiative taps into a broader industry trend toward “orbital cloud” infrastructure — where satellite constellations act as decentralized compute and connectivity layers beyond traditional communications payloads. Proponents argue that orbiting AI data centers could enable AI inference, blockchain verification, distributed connectivity, and sovereign digital services globally. Early space compute deployments like Genesis-1 illustrate how hardware powered by solar energy can support advanced digital workloads outside the constraints of traditional ground-based data centers.
For PowerBank, this collaboration represents an extension of its renewable energy business into emerging tech infrastructure markets where solar generation and thermal management systems enable next-generation compute platforms.
Outlook & Next Steps
With Smartlink AI’s second satellite launch targeted for early 2026, PowerBank remains engaged as a partner in subsequent Orbit AI network phases. Observers and investors will likely monitor how orbital compute capabilities evolve, whether additional launch partners or service agreements emerge, and how PowerBank’s contributions to space-based infrastructure translate into long-term value for both companies.
As orbital AI computing attracts interest from both commercial and governmental sectors — aiming to integrate AI, renewable power, connectivity, and blockchain technologies — projects like Genesis-1 may signal early steps toward space-native digital ecosystems.
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