SpaceX and Google are reportedly in talks to launch data centers into orbit.
WASHINGTON — SpaceX and Google are reportedly in talks to launch data centers into orbit.
The technology has yet to be proven, but Google has been working to make it a reality and launched Project Suncatcher in November 2025 with a goal to launch prototype satellites into orbit by 2027.
The initiative is described as a “moonshot exploring a new frontier: equipping solar-powered satellites constellations … to one day scale machine learning compute in space.” One of their top goals is to achieve “data center-scale inter-satellite links.”
However, Google needs a rocket-launch company to help make it happen.
That’s why the tech industry giants have apparently agreed to take steps to join forces, as both companies are beginning to compete on orbital data centers.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has expressed that orbital the next step for his rocket company.
Musk in February said he wants to put as many as a million satellites into orbit to form vast, solar-powered data centers in space — a move to allow expanded use of artificial intelligence and chatbots without triggering blackouts and sending utility bills soaring.
To finance that effort, Musk combined SpaceX with his AI business in earlier this year and plans a big initial public offering of the combined company.
“Space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale,” Musk wrote on SpaceX’s website at the time.
But scientists and industry experts say even Musk faces formidable technical, financial and environmental obstacles.
Google is also reportedly in talks with a possible deal with other rocket-launch companies, sources told CNN.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.