Elon Musk has announced plans to merge SpaceX with xAI in an effort to form a new joint venture aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence (AI)-powered innovation and initiating a vertically integrated, innovation engine that spans both Earth and space.
On February 2, 2026, the 54-year-old billionaire unveiled his ambitious merger strategy. This move integrates Musk’s aerospace capabilities with his advanced AI operations to create a feedback loop between AI, rocket technology (Starship), and global communications (Starlink).
Recently, Musk has been advocating for building data centers in space, given terrestrial limitations related to energy and cooling systems. SpaceX sees this as an opportunity to make substantial progress toward its vision.
The merger brings together the proven capability of launching heavy payloads with Starship rockets, complemented by Starlink satellites and communication infrastructure. xAI models will provide the computing power for these facilities built in orbit.
This vertical integration system promises a roadmap to building data centers in space, leveraging SpaceX’s dominance and AI-based capabilities. Up to one million satellites designed as networked orbital data centers will be launched, equipped with unprecedented computational capacity.
SpaceX aims to launch these networks by 2029. They plan to generate the lowest cost for AI compute within two to three years using solar energy harvested in space without atmospheric losses. This approach avoids traditional cooling systems and relies on radiative cooling from the shaded side of satellites.
Musk frames this as a significant step toward achieving Kardashev Type II Civilization, harnessing 500 to 1,000 TW/year of AI satellite power into deep space. Eventually, this integration will enable SpaceX to build not only data centers but also self-growing lunar bases.