SpaceX has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission requesting approval to launch up to one million solar-powered satellites that would function as data centers for artificial intelligence. The filing was submitted on Friday, outlining an ambitious plan that the company describes as a revolutionary approach to meeting growing AI computational demands.
The proposal requests permission to deploy a constellation of satellites operating within narrow orbital shells spanning up to 50 kilometers each at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,000 kilometers. These satellites would harness solar energy to power on-orbit data centers, which SpaceX claims would be more efficient than ground-based facilities. The company states that orbital data centers represent the most efficient way to meet accelerating demand for AI computing power, using solar power with minimal operating and maintenance costs.
Solar-Powered Computing in Space
SpaceX argues that these space-based facilities would significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with terrestrial data centers. The filing notes that by directly harnessing near-continuous solar power with minimal maintenance, these satellites would achieve unprecedented computing capacity and energy efficiency. The company contends that AI processing demands have already surpassed terrestrial capabilities, making orbital solutions necessary.
The proposal draws on anticipated cost reductions from Starship, SpaceX’s next-generation reusable rocket currently under development. The company states that fully reusable launch vehicles like Starship that can deploy millions of tons of payload per year to orbit at a high launch rate means that on-orbit processing capacity can achieve scale and cost parity compared to terrestrial buildouts with significantly reduced environmental impact. Since 2023, Starship has undergone 11 test launches, and Elon Musk anticipates the rocket will place its first payloads into orbit within this year.
A Vision for Civilization’s Future
The filing frames the project in grand terms, describing it as a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization, one that can harness the Sun’s full power while ensuring humanity’s multi-planetary future amongst the stars. The Kardashev scale, introduced by an astronomer in the 1960s, classifies hypothetical extraterrestrial civilizations based on their energy consumption capabilities. Musk wrote on his social media platform that the satellites will be so small that it will be hard to see them from another, noting that space is so vast as to be beyond comprehension.
Regulatory Context and Challenges
The one million satellite figure is unlikely to be approved outright and is probably meant as a starting point for negotiations. The FCC recently gave SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites but said it would defer authorization on the remaining 14,988 proposed satellites. There are currently around 15,000 man-made satellites orbiting the Earth, according to the European Space Agency, and they are already creating issues with pollution and debris.
Satellite operators often request permission for a larger number than they intend to launch, allowing for greater design flexibility. SpaceX previously sought authorization for 42,000 Starlink satellites before commencing deployment of its current system, which now comprises approximately 9,500 satellites in orbit.
Competitive Landscape and Timing
The filing comes as Amazon is seeking an extension on an FCC deadline to have more than 1,600 satellites in orbit, citing a lack of rockets. The timing also follows a Reuters report indicating that SpaceX is in talks with Musk’s xAI regarding a potential merger ahead of a significant public offering anticipated this year. Such a merger could invigorate SpaceX’s ambitions to establish data centers in space as Musk competes for dominance in the rapidly advancing AI sector against rivals like Google, Meta, and OpenAI.
The proposal’s eight-page document characterizes the initiative as a constellation of satellites with unmatched computing power to support advanced artificial intelligence models and their associated applications. The filing emphasizes rising energy expenses associated with terrestrial AI data centers as a key motivation for pursuing orbital alternatives. These new satellites would function in low-Earth orbit, similar to Starlink satellites that deliver high-speed internet, and would communicate via laser while drawing power directly from the sun.
