SpaceX will develop orbital data centers using its Starlink satellite network. According to NotebookCheck, Elon Musk confirmed the plans on October 31, 2025. He stated that scaling up Starlink V3 satellites would enable space-based computing. The announcement came in response to a report about autonomous space construction.

The Starlink V3 satellites will deliver up to 1 terabit per second capacity. This represents a tenfold increase over current V2 models that max out at 100 gigabits per second. SpaceX plans to launch 60 V3 satellites per Starship flight beginning in 2026. Each V3 satellite weighs approximately 1,500 kilograms. The satellites will feature high-speed laser links for data transmission in orbit.

Musk wrote on social media that SpaceX will pursue this technology. The satellites could use abundant solar energy in space. This eliminates land use concerns associated with Earth-based data centers.

Why This Matters

AI computing demands are straining terrestrial power infrastructure. Pew Research Center reports U.S. data centers consumed 183 terawatt-hours in 2024. This figure represents over 4% of total U.S. electricity consumption. Demand is projected to grow 133% by 2030, reaching 426 terawatt-hours.

Space-based data centers could access continuous solar power without weather interruptions. They would bypass local opposition and resource constraints affecting ground facilities. The concept addresses cooling challenges that plague traditional data centers. Orbital infrastructure could also reduce environmental impacts on Earth.

Caleb Henry from Quilty Space told NotebookCheck that industry momentum deserves attention. He noted that nothing in the satellite industry matches Starlink V3 capacity levels. If tech leaders invest heavily, another transformation in space utilization could occur.

Industry Implications

Multiple tech billionaires are pursuing orbital computing infrastructure. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicted gigawatt-scale space data centers within 10 to 20 years. Data Center Dynamics reported his comments from Italian Tech Week in October 2025. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt acquired Relativity Space in May 2025 for orbital infrastructure development.

Global data center electricity demand could more than double by 2030. The International Energy Agency projects consumption reaching 945 terawatt-hours worldwide. AI workloads will drive most of this growth. In the U.S., data centers will account for nearly half of electricity demand growth through 2030.

Critics question the economics and complexity of orbital operations. Heat rejection in vacuum conditions presents technical challenges. Launch costs remain high despite SpaceX's reusable rocket technology. Maintaining large-scale data systems in orbit requires unprecedented solutions. However, SpaceX's track record with Starlink suggests feasibility. The network now serves millions of customers across 140 countries while generating profit.

Further Reading

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