Google and SpaceX Reportedly Discuss Orbital Data Centers

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google and SpaceX are in discussions to launch data centers into orbit. The talks involve a potential rocket launch partnership as both companies explore orbital computing technology.

The discussions come as SpaceX prepares for a public listing later this year. Elon Musk has promoted orbital data centers as a future direction for the company, describing them as a way to reduce costs and avoid local restrictions that affect ground facilities.

Google is also continuing its own space computing efforts under Project Suncatcher, which plans to launch prototype satellites by 2027. The company has reportedly spoken with other launch providers as part of this initiative.

SpaceX previously acquired xAI and reached an agreement with Anthropic to use computing resources from xAI’s facility in Memphis, with potential collaboration on orbital infrastructure in the future. Google invested $900 million in SpaceX in 2015, according to regulatory filings.