SpaceX Seeks Approval to Launch One Million Satellites for AI Computing

Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch up to one million satellites into low-Earth orbit. The proposed network would serve as ‘orbital data centres,’ providing computing power for artificial intelligence (AI) on a global scale. According to SpaceX, these satellites could be a more energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional terrestrial data centres, which consume large amounts of power and water for cooling. The company claims the system could support billions of users worldwide and represents a step toward achieving a Kardashev II-level civilization, capable of harnessing the Sun’s full energy. However, experts have raised concerns about the high cost of launching and maintaining orbital hardware, the growing risk of space debris, potential collisions, and interference with astronomical observations. Starlink, SpaceX’s existing satellite network, has already faced criticism for creating congestion in orbit and affecting telescope research, though Musk has denied claims that his satellites crowd space. The new satellites would operate at altitudes of 500–2,000 km and be solar-powered, similar to the Starlink network. This ambitious plan reflects the increasing demand for AI computing resources and the exploration of innovative solutions beyond Earth’s surface.