SpaceX Wants to Launch 1 Million AI Satellites Into Space

One million. That's how many solar-powered satellites SpaceX wants to launch as AI data centers, according to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission. To put that in perspective, there are currently around 15,000 man-made satellites orbiting Earth.

Computing in the Cosmos

Elon Musk's space company isn't just thinking big—it's thinking cosmic. The filing describes these planned satellites as "the most efficient way to meet the accelerating demand for AI computing power" and positions them as "a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization—one that can harness the Sun's full power."

The concept is straightforward: solar-powered satellites would process AI computations in space and beam results back to Earth. No cooling costs, unlimited solar energy, and 24/7 operation without weather interruptions.

But reality check: the FCC recently approved SpaceX to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites while deferring authorization on the remaining 14,988 proposed ones. The Verge suggests the million-satellite number is likely a negotiating starting point rather than a realistic immediate goal.

Space Traffic Jam

The bigger picture reveals a crowded orbital environment. The European Space Agency reports approximately 15,000 satellites currently in orbit, already creating pollution and debris issues. Amazon is simultaneously seeking deadline extensions for launching over 1,600 satellites, citing rocket shortages.

This comes as SpaceX reportedly considers merging with Musk's other companies—Tesla and xAI (already merged with X)—ahead of going public. The timing suggests these ambitious satellite plans might serve multiple purposes beyond just AI computing.

Ground vs. Sky Computing

The fundamental question: why move AI to space when ground-based data centers work fine? Space offers unlimited solar power and natural cooling, potentially solving two major data center challenges. But it introduces new problems: launch costs, maintenance difficulties, radiation damage, and communication latency.

For AI training, which requires massive data transfers, the satellite-to-ground communication bottleneck could prove problematic. Current AI models need constant data flow—something that's easier to achieve with fiber optic cables than space-based radio links.

The Regulatory Reality

The FCC's recent cautious approach to SpaceX's Starlink expansion suggests regulators won't rubber-stamp a million-satellite constellation. Environmental concerns, space debris, and interference with ground-based astronomy are already hot-button issues with current satellite numbers.

International coordination would be essential. Unlike terrestrial data centers, satellites cross national boundaries continuously, requiring global regulatory alignment that doesn't currently exist for such massive deployments.