Google and SpaceX are in talks to launch orbital information facilities in area, reports The Wall Road Journal, citing sources acquainted with the matter.
The potential deal comes as SpaceX gears up for its $1.75 trillion IPO later this yr, promoting traders on the concept that information facilities in area would be the least expensive place to place AI compute throughout the subsequent few years. It additionally follows Anthropic’s cope with SpaceX final week to make use of computing sources from xAI’s information middle in Memphis, Tennessee, with the potential to work collectively on orbital ones sooner or later. (SpaceX acquired xAI in February.)
Google is reportedly speaking to different rocket-launch corporations as nicely. The corporate additionally plans to launch prototype satellites by 2027 as a part of an initiative referred to as Challenge Suncatcher, introduced late final yr.
Elon Musk has created hype for orbital information facilities, claiming they’re cheaper to function. Advocates additionally level out they’re free from the native backlash that U.S. ground-based buildouts appeal to. Nonetheless, as TechCrunch just lately reported, immediately’s terrestrial information facilities are less expensive than these in orbit as soon as satellite tv for pc development and launch prices are factored in.
Google invested $900 million in SpaceX in 2015, in response to regulatory filings.
TechCrunch has reached out to Google and SpaceX for remark.
