---
title: "SpaceX asks to launch 1 million satellites as AI data centres in space"
description: "SpaceX filed with the FCC for solar-powered satellites that would run AI workloads. About 15,000 satellites orbit Earth today."
url: https://kurddevelopers.com/en/news/spacex-million-satellite-data-centers
language: en # English
type: news
published: 2026-01-31T18:00:00.000Z
updated: 2026-11-01T22:24:12.000Z
author: "Osamah Ismail"
author_url: https://kurddevelopers.com/en/author/1
section: "AI"
tags: ["SpaceX","Starlink","Data centres","AI","FCC"]
sources: ["FCC filing","ESA","TechCrunch"]
image: https://kurddevelopers.com/uploads/2026/11/v4-night-sky-2dd44d68.webp
translations:
  ku: https://kurddevelopers.com/news/spacex-million-satellite-data-centers
  ar: https://kurddevelopers.com/ar/news/spacex-million-satellite-data-centers
publisher: Kurd Developers
publisher_url: https://kurddevelopers.com/
---

# SpaceX asks to launch 1 million satellites as AI data centres in space

> SpaceX filed with the FCC for solar-powered satellites that would run AI workloads. About 15,000 satellites orbit Earth today.

![Image: Starlink](https://kurddevelopers.com/uploads/2026/11/v4-night-sky-2dd44d68.webp)

**SpaceX** has filed an application with the US communications regulator, the **FCC**, to launch up to **1 million satellites** powered by **solar energy** that would act as **AI data centres** in space.

## What does it say?

The filing describes this as "a first step towards becoming a **Kardashev II**-level civilization", meaning a civilization that harnesses the full energy of its star.

## Numbers for comparison

- According to the European Space Agency (ESA), there are about **15,000** satellites around Earth today
- The FCC recently approved **7,500** more Starlink satellites and deferred a decision on another 14,988

## Why space?

AI data centres need huge amounts of electricity. In space, solar power is constant. Reports say SpaceX is also considering a merger with Tesla and xAI.

*This is only an application; the FCC has not yet decided.*

**Sources:** FCC filing, ESA, TechCrunch

---

Published by [Kurd Developers](https://kurddevelopers.com/) on 2026-01-31. Cite as: “SpaceX asks to launch 1 million satellites as AI data centres in space”, Kurd Developers, https://kurddevelopers.com/en/news/spacex-million-satellite-data-centers