SpaceX has filed with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for permission to launch up to one million solar-powered satellites acting as artificial intelligence data centres.
The ambitious plan portrays the satellites as “the most efficient way to meet the accelerating demand for AI computing power,” marking “a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilisation—one that can harness the Sun’s full power” while “ensuring humanity’s multi-planetary future amongst the stars.”
Regulators are unlikely to approve the full number outright, viewing it as a negotiation starter. The FCC recently authorised 7,500 more Starlink satellites but deferred the remaining 14,988 amid safety concerns.
About 15,000 man-made satellites already orbit Earth, per European Space Agency data, fuelling debris and pollution worries.
Amazon seeks an FCC extension to deploy over 1,600 satellites, blaming rocket shortages. SpaceX meanwhile considers merging with Elon Musk’s Tesla and xAI before a possible public listing.