SpaceX Hiring to Turn Musk's Space-Based Data Center Vision into Reality

Elon Musk believes putting AI data centers in space is the future, and SpaceX is now hiring to make it happen.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, believes that the future of AI data centers lies in space. SpaceX is now hiring "many engineers" to develop a "constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers." Musk claims that in 30-36 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be in space, as it will provide a reliable source of energy and computing power. However, some have questioned the viability of this plan, arguing that the cost of maintenance and servicing the space-based data centers could offset any savings on energy consumption.

Why it matters

Musk's plan to put data centers in space is a bold and ambitious move that could have significant implications for the future of AI and data infrastructure. If successful, it could provide a reliable and scalable solution to the growing energy and space demands of traditional data centers on Earth. However, the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this plan remain to be seen, and it will be closely watched by the tech industry and the broader public.

The details

SpaceX says its goal is to launch a "constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers," each generating about 100 kW of compute power per ton and adding 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually. Musk believes that putting data centers in space will solve the issue of energy availability, as he argues that electrical output outside of China is "more or less flat." However, some have challenged this idea, noting that energy use is only about 10-15% of the total cost of operating a data center, and the cost of maintenance and servicing the space-based data centers could offset any savings on energy consumption.

  • Musk announced that SpaceX would acquire his AI company, xAI, earlier this month.
  • Musk said that in 30-36 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be in space.

The players

Elon Musk

The CEO of SpaceX and founder of several other high-profile tech companies, including Tesla and Neuralink.

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Michael Nicolls

The vice president of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX.

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What they’re saying

“In the long term, space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale.”

— Elon Musk (SpaceX memo)

“You can mark my words. In 36 months, but probably closer to 30 months, the most economically compelling place to put AI will be space. It will then get ridiculously better to be in space.”

— Elon Musk (Dwarkesh Podcast)

“If you look at electrical output outside of China, everywhere outside of China, it's more or less flat. If you're putting data centers anywhere except China, where are you going to get your electricity?”

— Elon Musk (Dwarkesh Podcast)

What’s next

SpaceX is actively hiring for "many critical engineering roles" to develop its space-based data center project, including a "Space Lasers Engineer" position based in Redmond, Washington.

The takeaway

Elon Musk's ambitious plan to put AI data centers in space could revolutionize the way we power and scale computing infrastructure, but it remains to be seen whether the cost and technical challenges can be overcome to make it a viable and economically compelling solution.