Musk unveils SpaceX's orbital supercomputer StarMind, launch set for 2027

Supercomputing in orbit

SpaceX is preparing to take high-performance computing beyond Earth's atmosphere. The company plans to begin launching its StarMind SI computing systems into orbit in the third quarter of 2027, with deployment expected to accelerate through 2028 and 2029.

The first hardware is being developed with NVIDIA and centers on the company's Vera Rubin NVL72 platform. "When we unveil the details of the StarMind computer next year, it will blow people's minds," Musk said.

Starlink V4 and laser links

Musk said the fourth-generation Starlink satellites will deliver 10 times the capacity of Version 3. Each satellite is planned to carry 10 next-generation laser links, with each link capable of exceeding 10 terabits per second.

In a more ambitious scenario, more than 100,000 satellites with roughly 100 laser links each could challenge undersea communications cables. Musk argues light travels about 40% faster through space than through fiber-optic cables.

Memphis and Tesla's chip push

Musk said the power infrastructure at SpaceX's large computing facility in Memphis, Tennessee, was built in about a year, compared with a typical five years, and now produces more than one gigawatt.

The interview also revealed that Tesla is developing a research chip fabrication facility at Gigafactory Texas, aiming to dramatically shorten semiconductor development cycles.