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SpaceX Absorbs xAI as Musk Pitches Space-Based Data Centers and Solar Power Plan

The deal positions SpaceX for a mid-2026 IPO.

Overview

  • Elon Musk confirmed SpaceX has acquired xAI, with the AI unit to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, according to reports.
  • Musk outlined plans for giant orbital photovoltaic arrays paired with AI data centers, arguing terrestrial power cannot meet projected AI electricity needs.
  • No financial terms of the acquisition or deployment timeline for the proposed space infrastructure were disclosed.
  • Bloomberg and the Financial Times report a combined valuation near $1.25 trillion ahead of a planned listing that could raise about $50 billion.
  • Regulatory and investor scrutiny is expected given SpaceX’s NASA and U.S. defense contracts, while industry figures such as AWS CEO Matt Garman question the near-term feasibility of launching vast, heavy server constellations.