SpaceX seeks federal approval to launch 1 million solar-powered satellite data centers

SpaceX has approached the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a bold proposal to deploy a constellation of up to one million solar-powered satellites, envisioned to function as data centers optimized for artificial intelligence applications. This ambitious initiative is characterized by the company as a pioneering step toward achieving a Kardashev II-level civilization, which would utilize the Sun's complete energy potential while ensuring humanity's future across multiple planets. Industry observers, including The Verge, suggest that the proposed figure of one million satellites may serve as a negotiation starting point rather than a concrete expectation for approval. The FCC has recently authorized SpaceX to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites, but has postponed approval for another 14,988 satellites under consideration. Currently, around 15,000 man-made satellites are in orbit, according to the European Space Agency, contributing to ongoing concerns regarding space pollution and debris accumulation. This filing arrives amid challenges faced by competitors, such as Amazon, which is requesting an extension on an FCC deadline due to a shortage of available rockets for its planned deployment of over 1,600 satellites. Additionally, reports indicate that SpaceX is contemplating a merger with two of Elon Musk’s other ventures, Tesla and xAI, which has already merged with X, in anticipation of going public.