SpaceX targets launch of up to 1 million AI‑powered satellites by 2030

SpaceX has filed plans with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to build a megaconstellation of up to one million satellites that will act as orbital AI data centers. The venture, dubbed “Starmind,” aims to deliver 100 GW of AI compute capacity per year by 2030, with an interim target of 1 GW per year by late 2027. Initial launches are scheduled to begin in 2028 aboard the Starship vehicle, while a new “Gigasat” factory announced in June 2026 is expected to produce more than 1,000 satellites annually by late 2027.

Each satellite will house onboard AI processors, large solar arrays for power and high‑speed optical links to coordinate tasks in orbit. The satellites, up to 70 m across, will relay processed results through the existing Starlink network to ground stations worldwide. Elon Musk confirmed the name “Starmind” in response to a user query, replying simply “Yes.”

Commercial interest is already emerging; Google reportedly signed a capacity agreement worth $920 million per month beginning October 2026, equating to roughly $11 billion annually for access to orbital AI compute. The plan raises regulatory and safety concerns, including the risk of orbital debris and the need for approvals across multiple jurisdictions.