SpaceX Seeks Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Data Center Constellation
SpaceX has requested Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to launch a constellation of up to 1 million solar-powered satellites intended to serve as data centers for artificial intelligence, according to a TechCrunch report. The company's filing outlines an ambitious vision, positioning the planned satellites as the most efficient way to meet the growing demand for AI computing power and a step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization.
The Verge suggested that the FCC is unlikely to approve the request for 1 million satellites outright and that the number is likely a starting point for negotiations. The FCC recently granted SpaceX permission to launch additional satellites, indicating an ongoing dialogue between the company and the regulatory body.
Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang refuted a Wall Street Journal report claiming friction between Nvidia and OpenAI regarding a potential $100 billion investment. Huang stated that the report was "nonsense," according to TechCrunch. The Wall Street Journal had reported that Nvidia was considering scaling back its investment in OpenAI, despite an agreement announced in September for Nvidia to invest up to $100 billion and build 10 gigawatts of computing infrastructure for the AI company. The report also suggested Huang had privately criticized OpenAI's business strategy and expressed concerns about competitors. The Wall Street Journal indicated that the two companies were rethinking their relationship, but not necessarily ending it entirely.
In other news, Waymo is reportedly nearing completion of a $16 billion funding round that would value the robotaxi company at $110 billion, according to the Financial Times, as reported by TechCrunch. Alphabet, Waymo's parent company, is expected to provide over three-fourths of the funding. New investors such as Dragoneer, Sequoia Capital, and DST Global are reportedly participating, along with existing backers Andreessen Horowitz and Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala. A Waymo spokesperson stated, "While we dont comment on private financial matters, our trajectory is clear: with over 20 million trips completed, we are focused on the safety-led operational excellence."
The developments come amid a broader trend of individual figures building large conglomerates. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX, which owns Starlink, has been likened to historical figures such as John D. Rockefeller and Jack Welch, according to TechCrunch. Musk also owns the social media platform X and is involved in neural implants, underground tunnels, and fertility research.
Furthermore, January saw the emergence of five new European unicorns, tech startups valued at over $1 billion, according to TechCrunch. These companies, located from Belgium to Ukraine, secured funding at valuations exceeding the billion-dollar threshold.
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