SpaceX's xAI division is ramping up efforts to attract new clients for its AI compute services after a landmark agreement with Anthropic has effectively filled its current data center capacity. This partnership grants Anthropic access to the 300MW Colossus I facility for $1.25 billion per month over the next three years, with both companies holding the option to terminate the deal with 90 days' notice. CEO Elon Musk underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating, "As the recently expanded partnership with Anthropic demonstrates, SpaceX is offering AI compute as a service at significant scale."
This move indicates SpaceX’s ambition to establish itself as a leading provider of AI infrastructure, with ongoing discussions to secure additional contracts. Musk noted that the company anticipates serving AI applications on an unprecedented scale, particularly with the planned deployment of orbital data centers. This strategy could transform how AI computing resources are accessed, utilizing SpaceX’s unique capabilities in space-based infrastructure.
In April, AI code editing startup Cursor also committed to space within xAI's data centers. However, Cursor is expected to be acquired by SpaceX shortly after its upcoming IPO, scheduled for June 12, where it aims to raise over $75 billion. The IPO documents reveal that xAI has made significant investments in its AI infrastructure, with expenditures of $12.7 billion in 2025 and an additional $7.7 billion in Q1 2026 alone.
The Colossus II facility is currently under development as xAI seeks to expand its capacity. While Musk has claimed it would offer 1GW of power at launch, recent satellite imagery indicates that the actual cooling equipment can only handle 350MW. The IPO filing describes the data center’s capacity as a “nameplate compute draw,” which measures the installed GPUs based on their total power draw potential. As of March 2026, xAI reported a nameplate compute draw of 1GW, an increase from 300MW the previous year. However, this figure may not accurately reflect actual power consumption or effective utilization of the installed GPUs, suggesting that operational compute power might not meet expectations.
Uncertainties persist about the portion of xAI's capacity designated for Grok, its in-house generative AI project, which has experienced declining usage and staff turnover. Following multiple departures, including all co-founders except Musk, Grok's future is uncertain as SpaceX continues to advance its broader plans. This ambitious roadmap includes the launch of up to one million space data center satellites, a move that could significantly boost its AI compute capabilities and market positioning in the years ahead.
As SpaceX navigates these developments, the implications for the AI infrastructure market could be considerable, particularly if the company successfully scales its operations and attracts more customers. the space will be closely monitored as other players in the sector react to SpaceX's aggressive expansion strategy.