Google, SpaceX in talks to explore data centers in orbit, WSJ reports

Alphabet's Google is in talks with Elon Musk's SpaceX for a rocket launch deal as the search giant looks to put orbital data centers in space, the ‌Wall ⁠Street ⁠Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Google is also in discussions about ​a potential deal with other rocket-launch companies, the report said.

SpaceX and Google ​did not immediately respond ⁠to Reuters' ‌requests for comments.


A partnership ​with ​Google would mark the second ⁠time Musk made peace with an ​AI rival he has publicly ​criticized, ahead of a widely anticipated and crucial IPO for SpaceX.

Last week, Anthropic agreed to use the full computing power of SpaceX's ‌Colossus 1 facility in Memphis and expressed interest in working ​with the ​rocket company ⁠to develop multiple gigawatts of space-based orbital data centers.

In November, Google said it was researching space-based data centers under Project Suncatcher, which aims to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027.