SpaceX submitted a proposal to the US Federal Communications Commission in January 2026 for the SpaceX Orbital Data Center System. The project envisions deploying up to one million satellites dedicated to AI computing, utilizing laser links for data exchange and the existing Starlink network for Earth connectivity.
The proposed satellites, dubbed AI1, are expected to weigh between 3.5 and 7.5 tons each. Based on NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 architecture with 72 GPUs, these units will rely on solar power and external radiator panels for heat dissipation in the vacuum of space, eliminating the need for water-based cooling.
The satellites are planned for orbits ranging from approximately 550 to 1,002 km. SpaceX intends to deorbit units located below 600 km into the atmosphere at the end of their five-year service life, while higher-altitude satellites may be moved to distant orbits or sent toward the Sun.
Experts estimate that a full-scale deployment would require disposing of approximately 200,000 satellites annually. This process would result in the loss of significant quantities of raw materials, including copper, gold, silver, palladium, titanium, and bismuth, which cannot be recycled in space.
Research indicates that burning satellites in the atmosphere releases aluminum oxide nanoparticles, which can persist in the stratosphere for decades and potentially impact the ozone layer. Furthermore, with one million satellites in orbit, the risk of collisions with existing space debris remains a significant concern.
