Elon Musk’s SpaceX is proposing a bold leap into space computing. The company has asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to launch up to one million satellites, not just to beam internet, but to act as AI-powered data centers orbiting Earth.
According to the FCC filing, these satellites would function as solar-powered, orbital computing hubs, capable of processing massive amounts of artificial intelligence data. SpaceX says the move could be a more cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to conventional ground-based data centers, which require enormous electricity and cooling resources.
The company highlights that as AI systems continue to grow in scale and complexity, traditional data centers may struggle to keep up. In orbit, satellites enjoy nearly constant sunlight and minimal maintenance requirements, potentially unlocking computing capacity at scales impossible on Earth.
Equipped with solar panels, these orbital data centers are designed to reduce the environmental footprint of AI computing, avoiding the massive energy and water demands typical of terrestrial facilities.
SpaceX frames the project as a stepping stone toward long-term technological milestones, including ambitions that align with a Kardashev Type II civilization, harnessing the full power of the Sun. The initiative relies heavily on the upcoming Starship rocket, which SpaceX says will launch satellites more efficiently than existing systems, making this massive orbital network feasible.
If approved, SpaceX’s plan could redefine the way artificial intelligence is powered and processed, marking a bold leap for both space technology and AI infrastructure.
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