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SpaceX has filed a request<\/a> with the Federal Communications Commission to launch a constellation of up to 1 million solar-powered satellites that it said will serve as data centers for artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n The company\u2019s filing lays out a grandiose vision, not just describing these planned satellites as \u201cthe most efficient way to meet the accelerating demand for AI computing power\u201d but also framing them as \u201ca first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization\u00a0\u2014\u00a0one that can harness the Sun\u2019s full power\u201d while also\u00a0 \u201censuring humanity\u2019s multi-planetary future amongst the stars.\u201d<\/p>\n The Verge argued that the 1 million satellite number is unlikely to be approved outright<\/a> and is probably meant as a starting point for negotiations. The FCC recently gave SpaceX permission to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites<\/a>, but said it would \u201cdefer authorization on the remaining 14,988\u201d proposed satellites.<\/p>\n There are currently arond man-made 15,000 satellites orbiting the Earth<\/a>, according to the European Space Agency, and they\u2019re already creating issues with pollution and debris.<\/p>\n The filing also comes as Amazon \u2014 citing a lack of rockets \u2014 is seeking an extension on an FCC deadline<\/a> to have more than 1,600 satellites in orbit. Meanwhile, SpaceX is reportedly considering a merger with two of Elon Musk\u2019s other companies<\/a>, Tesla and xAI (which already merged with X), ahead of going public<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n