SpaceX is moving beyond internet connectivity with Starmind, a new project to build an orbital data center. The plan involves a constellation of up to 1 million satellites designed to run artificial intelligence workloads in low Earth orbit.
CEO Elon Musk confirmed the name in June 2026. Each satellite will carry processors for machine learning inference, powered by solar arrays and cooled by the vacuum of space.
The satellites will use optical laser links for communication, a technology adapted from the existing Starlink network. SpaceX has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for this "orbital data-center system."
The project integrates SpaceX with xAI, Musk's AI company acquired in February 2026. This merger combines satellite manufacturing and launch capabilities with AI models and engineering talent.
The scale is unprecedented. A million satellites would be roughly 100 times larger than the current Starlink constellation. Manufacturing and launching AI-capable satellites at this scale presents significant execution risks and regulatory hurdles.
The first test satellites, designated AI1, are slated to launch in early 2027. Investors are watching this milestone as a key proof point.