In a major development for the AI infrastructure market, Anthropic has committed to paying SpaceX $1.25 billion each month for data center capacity over the next three years. This agreement, revealed in SpaceX's IPO filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, highlights the growing intersection of space and AI technology as Elon Musk's companies expand their operational scope.
Financial Implications of the Partnership
The deal, which extends until May 2029, will allow Anthropic to utilize 300 megawatts of computing power from SpaceX's xAI data centers. This significant financial commitment reflects the demand for advanced AI infrastructure and the increasing costs associated with such operations. The contract includes a provision for either party to terminate with a 90-day notice, offering some flexibility in a changing market.
Alongside Anthropic, SpaceX has secured agreements with other firms, including Cursor, an AI code editing company. The filing indicates that SpaceX anticipates further contracts to rent out its data center capacity, effectively positioning itself as a cloud service provider. This shift is particularly noteworthy given the substantial losses reported by xAI, totaling $2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by significant capital expenditures on AI infrastructure.
The Scale and Capacity of SpaceX's Data Centers
Musk has previously described SpaceX's 1-gigawatt (GW) data center cluster in Memphis as the largest in the world. However, recent satellite imagery and details from the IPO filing suggest that while the installed capacity may appear impressive, actual power consumption is likely much lower. The filing indicates that the effective compute power currently utilized stands at approximately 330 megawatts, with plans for future expansion to include an additional 400 megawatts.
SpaceX's ambitious investment in AI infrastructure included $12.7 billion in spending in 2025 and a projected $30 billion for 2026. The company asserts that it has enough capacity to meet its own AI model demands while also fulfilling its obligations to Anthropic and other partners. As noted in the IPO document, "We have sufficient capacity to provide compute for our own AI models, including support of our training and inference demands, and to satisfy the obligations under these agreements."
Environmental Concerns and Future Expansion Plans
Despite the promising prospects for AI services, SpaceX has faced criticism for its reliance on natural gas turbines to power its data centers. Lawsuits alleging violations of environmental regulations have emerged, including one from the NAACP regarding the operation of methane gas turbines. In response, the company has set aside $2.8 billion for new turbine acquisitions, indicating a commitment to improving its environmental impact while expanding its infrastructure.
Musk's vision extends beyond terrestrial data centers. The IPO filing reveals plans to deploy data centers in orbit, utilizing the Starlink satellite network for improved connectivity. SpaceX aims to launch up to one million satellites designed for AI compute by 2028, a move that could redefine data processing. However, the company acknowledges the challenges posed by untested technologies, warning that significant capital investment will be necessary before achieving profitability.
As SpaceX prepares for its anticipated IPO, the collaboration with Anthropic serves as both a financial lifeline and a strategic pivot towards becoming a significant player in the AI infrastructure market. Investors are closely monitoring how this partnership will develop and whether it can deliver on its promises amid the complexities of the AI and space sectors.
