SpaceX builds new gas power plant for data centers and marks 90th Falcon launch

SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, announced the construction of a permanent gas‑fired power station near Memphis, Mississippi, to replace 69 existing gas turbines that currently power its xAI data‑center complex. The new plant will deliver about 1.2 GW of capacity, with plans for up to 41 additional turbines ranging from 16.5 MW to 50 MW each. Environmental groups have raised concerns over nitrogen‑oxide emissions and licensing, and legal challenges are ongoing, though the U.S. Department of Justice has expressed support for the company.

In parallel, SpaceX achieved its 90th successful Falcon launch in 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, deploying 24 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The mission featured first‑stage booster B1081, which was reused for a record 26th time, underscoring the company’s reusable‑rocket strategy and its impact on launch costs and frequency.