How long is Anthropic’s lease with SpaceX? Opinions vary.

In a recent development, xAI struck a substantial compute partnership with Anthropic, committing billions monthly for exclusive access to the Colossus cluster. This agreement marks a significant milestone for both companies, boosting xAI's revenue while propelling Anthropic forward in the fiercely competitive compute landscape. However, Elon Musk took to social media platform X to clarify SpaceX's involvement in the deal. He stated, “SpaceX has not committed to leasing Colossus for years, although it’s possible that may be what happens.” Musk elaborated that the arrangement is a 180-day lease with a 90-day mutual cancellation notice, emphasizing that the short-term setup was requested by SpaceX, not Anthropic. He assured that SpaceX would not leave Anthropic in a difficult position and would provide an appropriate exit strategy if necessary. Musk’s comments stand in contrast to SpaceX’s recent S-1 filing, which suggests a three-year agreement with Anthropic. The filing outlines that, beginning May 3, 2026, the company will receive cloud services and is expected to pay a monthly fee until May 2029, with certain capacity adjustments occurring at a reduced rate. The document indicates that either party can terminate the agreement with a 90-day notice, but it also affirms that Anthropic has committed to paying for the service over the specified period, which could be interpreted as a three-year lease. Despite the apparent discrepancies in the details, neither SpaceX nor Anthropic has provided further clarity on the matter. As the situation develops, it raises questions about transparency and accuracy in corporate communications, particularly during sensitive periods like a company’s quiet period. Regulatory bodies like the SEC might take note, but it remains to be seen how this will unfold in the public eye.