SpaceX has asked the Federal Communications Commission to launch a constellation of up to 1 million solar-powered satellites to serve as data centers for artificial intelligence.
The company’s application lays out a grand vision, not only describing its planned satellites as “the most efficient way to meet the accelerating demand for AI computing power,” but also framing them as a step toward “a Kardashev II-level civilization, one that can harness the full power of the sun,” while simultaneously “securing humanity’s multiplanetary future among the stars.”
The Verge argued that 1 million satellites was unlikely to be fully approved and was probably meant as a starting point for negotiations. The FCC recently granted SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites, but said it would delay permission for the “remaining 14,988” proposed satellites.
The European Space Agency says there are 15,000 satellites currently orbiting Earth, and they are already causing pollution and debris problems.
The filing comes as Amazon seeks an extension of the FCC’s deadline to have more than 1,600 satellites in orbit, citing a rocket shortage. Meanwhile, SpaceX is reportedly considering merging with two of Elon Musk’s other companies, Tesla and xAI (which has already merged with X), ahead of going public.
