SpaceX’s Ambitious Vision: A Million-Satellite Constellation for AI
In a bold move, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has filed an ambitious application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch an astounding network of one million satellites—an astronomical leap aimed at creating what they describe as an “orbital data center.” This revolutionary plan, unveiled on Friday, intends to dramatically increase the number of satellites currently in orbit by a factor of 100.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s company has floated the idea of an orbital data hub. Insiders previously hinted at these plans, particularly as speculations arose about Musk’s interests in potentially taking SpaceX public.
As reported by PCMag, the envisioned data center will operate on solar power, providing immense computing capacity to cater to the soaring demands of artificial intelligence. SpaceX envisions deploying its massive constellation within tightly-knit orbital shells, spanning up to 50 kilometers each. The company’s filing articulates that these orbital facilities are poised to be a game-changer, addressing the pressing need for AI-related computational resources thanks to their minimal running costs.
The scale of this proposal is staggering. Recently, SpaceX celebrated a milestone with the launch of its 11,000th Starlink satellite. However, actual operational satellites tend to be fewer due to various operational challenges. As of January 30, 2026, an unofficial source tracking Starlink data reports over 9,600 satellites still in orbit.
The regulatory process ahead may prove to be a significant hurdle for SpaceX, as the FCC has historically moderated satellite application requests. This month alone, the agency approved SpaceX’s plan to add 7,500 more Starlink satellites, following the previous addition of a similar number in 2022. This, however, pales in comparison to the nearly 30,000 satellites the company sought back in 2020.
As SpaceX’s satellite ambitions unfold, the world awaits to see if this visionary proposal will redefine the landscape of satellite technology and computing power in the skies.