tetsuo@tetsuoai
"a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization." - Elon Musk
In the last three weeks:
SpaceX acquired xAI, merging the world's largest rocket company with one of the fastest-moving AI labs on the planet. SpaceX valued at $1 trillion.
The stated goal of the merger: build orbital data centers. A constellation of a million satellites that generate AI compute in space, powered by near-constant solar energy with near-zero operating costs. Elon Musk's words: "Within 2 to 3 years, the lowest cost way to generate AI compute will be in space."
The math he laid out: launching a million tons per year of satellites generating 100 kW of compute per ton adds 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually. The long-term path is 1 terawatt per year from Earth launches alone. And with lunar factories using electromagnetic mass drivers, 500 to 1,000 terawatts per year into deep space.
Elon Musk also announced SpaceX is building a self-growing city on the Moon. Target: under 10 years. First uncrewed landing: March 2027. Lunar manufacturing will feed the orbital compute network. Factories on the Moon building satellites and launching them deeper into the solar system.
And the rocket that makes all of it possible, Starship V3, with 100+ tons to orbit, orbital refueling, and Raptor 3 engines, is targeting its first flight in mid-March. The plan: launches every hour, 200 tons per flight, millions of tons to orbit per year.
The most powerful rocket in history. Aimed at the Moon. Designed to launch the largest AI infrastructure ever built. Weeks from flying.
It's happening.