SpaceX acquires xAI. Data centers will go into orbit

The current development of artificial intelligence models depends on terrestrial data centers. They require huge amounts of electricity and efficient cooling systems. The global demand for electricity for AI is growing so rapidly that the Earth’s infrastructure may soon fail ineffective. Space is supposed to be the solution to this problem.

Space offers almost unlimited access to solar energy and natural cooling. Satellites operating as orbital data centers do not generate the operational costs typical of facilities on Earth. In space, the sun shines almost constantly, which allows… constant power supply for powerful processors. The plan is to build a constellation of one million such satellites.

The key element of the project is Starship launch system. So far, no vehicle has been able to carry such a large payload into orbit. In the record year of 2025, a total of approximately 3,000 tons of cargomainly Starlink satellites. However, the new plan requires much more frequent flights.

Ultimately Starship launches are to take place every hour. Each flight will deliver to orbit 200 tons of equipment. This will allow for the removal of millions of tons of infrastructure per year. New satellites Starlink V3 and devices for direct cellular communication will only be an introduction to the construction of an orbital computing network.

Estimates indicate that within two or three years, space will become the most economical place to generate computing power for AI. Launching a million tons of satellites a year would add 100 gigawatts of computing power to the global pool. This would be done without burdening the natural environment on Earth.

Lower operating costs will allow companies to train advanced models faster. The new constellation will leverage proven sustainability strategies, including end-of-life satellite disposal systems. This technology is intended to accelerate progress in physics and engineering.

The orbital server room project has finance further exploration of the solar system. Profits from data processing in space are expected to enable the construction of permanent bases on the Moon and cities on Mars. Moon factories could use local raw materials to produce more satellites.