Overview
- The FCC accepted SpaceX’s application and opened a public comment period through March 6 for a non‑geostationary satellite system to host AI compute in orbit.
- SpaceX’s filing outlines a constellation of up to one million data‑center‑style satellites in low Earth orbit (roughly 310–1,240 miles) linked by laser inter‑satellite connections and tied into Starlink.
- Acceptance for filing is not approval, and the review is expected to probe feasibility, collision and debris risks, spectrum and competition issues, and servicing challenges for orbital hardware.
- SpaceX and xAI formally merged this week, aligning rocket launches, satellites and AI development as Elon Musk argues space power economics could favor orbital compute within 30–36 months.
- Reuters reported SpaceX has explored a Starlink‑connected phone, but Musk later said, “We are not developing a phone,” as Starlink pursues direct‑to‑device services and debuts the Stargaze space‑tracking product ahead of a potential IPO.