SpaceX

SpaceX is aggressively pivoting toward integrating data center infrastructure into its space operations. The company has filed plans for a massive constellation potentially involving up to one million satellites, specifically designed to host significant compute capacity for artificial intelligence workloads in orbit. This move signals a major strategic entry into the burgeoning space-based data center market.

This orbital data center ambition is linked to broader corporate restructuring discussions involving Elon Musk's other ventures. There is consideration for a potential merger between SpaceX and xAI, a development that coincides with Tesla's planned investment into xAI. These potential alignments suggest a concerted effort to leverage shared resources and technological capabilities across Musk's enterprises.

The company's focus on orbital data centers places it in direct competition with other aerospace entities, notably Blue Origin, as the race to secure necessary space and resources for these infrastructures intensifies. This strategic shift represents a significant evolution beyond traditional launch services and satellite internet provision.

The scale of the proposed satellite deployment—aiming for a million units—underscores the ambition to dominate this emerging sector. SpaceX is actively seeking regulatory approval, with the FCC advancing applications for public comment regarding this massive undertaking.

Last updated February 7, 2026