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SpaceX is requesting permission to launch as many as 1 million satellites into the Earth\u2019s orbit in order to pull off Elon Musk\u2019s latest grand vision of putting data centers in space to do complex computing for artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission made late Friday, SpaceX said it\u2019s creating the solar-powered network in order to \u201caccommodate the explosive growth of data demands driven by AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
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SpaceX proposes that the sun – shown here in an image from the\u00a0Solar Dynamics Observatory during a geomagnetic storm watch last year – would directly power the AI data centres in space.NASA\/AP<\/p>\n
\u201cLaunching a constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centres is a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilisation \u2014 one that can harness the sun\u2019s full power \u2014 while supporting AI-driven applications for billions of people today and ensuring humanity\u2019s multi-planetary future amongst the stars,\u201d SpaceX wrote in the filing.<\/p>\n
The system, which could be launched via the company\u2019s reusable Starship rocket, would serve as a lower-cost and more environmentally friendly alternative to land-based data centres, the filing states.<\/p>\n
Related Article Instead of requiring cooling systems that use large volumes of water like those on land, the network would rely on radiative cooling that occurs in space, which allows for the dissipation of heat. It would also reduce the need to rely on batteries, since it would acquire energy from the sun, according to the filing.<\/p>\n Musk responded to reports of the filing on X early Saturday morning, stating \u201cI thought we\u2019d start small and work our way up\u201d.<\/p>\n The satellites, which will use laser links to communicate with each other, will be launched between an altitude of 500 km (310.69 miles) and 2,000 km in an orbit that would provide them near constant access to the sun, according to the filing.<\/p>\n The FCC request comes as SpaceX, which is eyeing an IPO later this year, is exploring a potential merger with Musk\u2019s xAI, a tie-up that would consolidate cash flow while bringing together capabilities in artificial intelligence, satellite production and rocket launches, Bloomberg has reported. SpaceX is also considering an alternative combination with Tesla Inc.<\/p>\n Musk has publicly spoken about the need for orbital data centres and his companies\u2019 ambitions to pioneer the technology, most recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a no-brainer for building AI data centres in space,\u201d Musk said at the forum. \u201cThe lowest cost place to put AI will be space, and that\u2019ll be true within two years, maybe three at the latest.\u201d<\/p>\n Bloomberg<\/p>\n The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Fact-checkers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9e93e61a549097e897050762ee336dc82f1530e7.jpeg\")
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SpaceX founder Elon Musk says the lowest cost place to put AI will be space, and \u201cthat\u2019ll be true within two years, maybe three at the latest\u201d.JOHN RAOUX<\/p>\n