Google, SpaceX Reportedly In Talks For Orbital Data Center Deal
Google, SpaceX Reportedly In Talks For Orbital Data Center Deal
Publish Date: 2026-05-12 13:09:00
Source Domain: www.forbes.com
Topline
Google is discussing a potential rocket-launch deal with SpaceX, according to The Wall Street Journal, the latest potential agreement among tech companies eyeing the creation of artificial intelligence data centers in space.
Google is reportedly talking to other rocket-launch companies.
Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The proposal would partner Google and SpaceX even as they compete on orbital data centers, the Journal reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk has insisted placing AI data centers in space will be the most cost-effective way to build the resource-intensive facilities.
One person cited by the Journal noted Google is also in talks with other rocket-launch companies for the data center project.
Forbes has reached out to Google and SpaceX for comment.
What Other Rocket-Launch Companies Could Google Work With?
If Google does not strike a deal with SpaceX, which has built a reputation as the leading commercial launch provider, Google could consider arrangements with the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin, Rocket Lab (which specializes in orbital launches), or the United Launch Alliance. The report from the Journal did not explicitly name the other companies Google was in talks with for a rocket-launch deal.
Tangent
Musk’s SpaceX is fresh off announcing a deal with Anthropic, giving the AI powerhouse access to its “Colossus” super computer. Under the agreement, Anthropic has shown interest in partnering with SpaceX to build “multiple gigawatts of orbital AI compute capacity.” The announcement from SpaceX said the computing power needed to develop the next generation of AI is “outpacing what terrestrial power, land, and cooling can deliver on the timelines that matter,” adding, “space-based compute offers near-limitless sustainable power with less impact on Earth.”
Key Background
Musk has predicted building AI data centers in space would involve “little operating or…
