SpaceX plans to invest over $74 billion in two supercomputer centers

SpaceX is planning to invest more than $74 billion in two large-scale supercomputing centers. The projects will be carried out at the company's Starbase facility in Texas and in Cochise County, Arizona. Through this investment, the company led by Elon Musk will significantly expand its artificial intelligence computing capabilities and extend its operations beyond rockets and Starlink satellite internet.

According to SpaceX, more than $24 billion will be spent on the Starbase facility in Texas, while approximately $50 billion is earmarked for building the new supercomputing campus in Arizona.

The growing importance of the artificial intelligence segment is also reflected in the company's financial results. According to SpaceX, the AI business generated more than half of the company's revenue in the third quarter, indicating the strengthening role of this segment in its operations.

The Arizona project: employment and environmental considerations

Construction of the planned campus in Arizona requires approval from the relevant authorities in Cochise County. If the project goes ahead, it is expected to create around 5,500 jobs during the construction phase, while approximately 1,000 employees will be hired for the facility's ongoing operations.

According to SpaceX, the company is collaborating with local electric cooperatives, and the project could reduce electricity bills for their members by up to 20%. In addition, the data center will use a dry cooling system, and there are no plans to use groundwater for industrial purposes.

However, the project is also facing local opposition. A petition against issuing the construction permit has been signed by approximately 2,400 people. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for December.

The Texas center will generate its own electricity

The planned supercomputing center at the Starbase site in Texas will generate its own electricity independently and will not rely on the public power grid.

According to a municipal notice published this week, construction is planned on approximately 444 acres for a gas-powered power plant and supercomputing facility. The Starbase City Commission is set to consider granting a property tax exemption for the project on December 9.

The two projects point to a significant shift in SpaceX's strategy: alongside its space and satellite business, the company is seeking to establish itself as one of the major players in the computing infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence.