SpaceX has applied to launch one million satellites into Earth’s orbit to power artificial intelligence computing. According to the BBC, the application filed Friday with the Federal Communications Commission describes orbital data centers as the most cost and energy-efficient way to meet growing AI computing demand. The plan does not specify a timeline.
Massive Expansion of Satellite Network
The new network could include up to one million solar-powered satellites. SpaceX claims the system would deliver computer capacity for billions of users worldwide. The satellites would operate in low-Earth orbit at altitudes from 500 to 2,000 kilometers.
SpaceX currently operates the Starlink network with nearly 10,000 satellites. The company says processing needs from expanding AI use already outpace terrestrial capabilities. Elon Musk wrote on X that the satellites will be so far apart that it will be hard to see from one to another.
The application also references becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization. This means a society that can harness the sun’s full power. The concept comes from a scale proposed by an astronomer in the 1960s.
Concerns About Space Congestion
Cooling and Debris Challenges
SpaceX says orbital data centers would be greener than traditional ones. Ground-based data centers require enormous amounts of power and water for cooling. But experts warn that launching hardware into orbit remains expensive. The infrastructure to protect, cool and power satellites can be complex.
A growing quantity of space debris puts physical hardware at risk. More low-orbit craft increases the possibility of crashes between objects. This could damage machines or send materials falling back to Earth.
The existing Starlink network has already been accused of creating congestion in space. Musk denies these claims. Astronomers complained in 2024 that radio waves from Starlink satellites were blinding their telescopes. This hinders their research.
Musk has previously rejected claims that his satellites take up too much room. He says they do not crowd out competitors. Other firms are also exploring the orbital data center concept.
