SpaceX Wants to Put 1 Million AI Satellites in Orbit. What Would That Do to Earth's Climate?

Companies including SpaceX have filed applications with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch more than a million orbiting data centers in the next decade, according to a Space.com report. Elon Musk has said SpaceX alone wants to operate a million-satellite AI constellation.

What Happened

SpaceX is among several companies—including Amazon and Blue Origin—that have submitted FCC applications for massive orbital data center constellations. The concept involves moving power-hungry AI computing infrastructure into space, where solar power can be harnessed and heat radiated into the vacuum. If all proposed projects come to fruition, the number of satellites being launched and reentering Earth's atmosphere could increase 100 times compared to today's levels. These data center satellites would also be much larger than current spacecraft in orbit.

Why It Matters

The scale of such deployments raises significant concerns among atmospheric scientists. Rockets emit black carbon, which can worsen global warming, while satellite bodies made of aluminum likely convert to aluminum oxide during reentry—a substance known to deplete the ozone layer. Pollutants injected into the upper atmosphere persist far longer than ground-level emissions because there is no rain or wind to clear them; black carbon from rockets can stay aloft for up to three years. Starship, which would likely be used for these launches, produces approximately 76,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per launch. Ars Technica estimates that up to 77,000 Starship launches—some 15,300 per year—might be needed to deploy SpaceX's planned constellation. For comparison, there were only 324 orbital rocket liftoffs globally in 2025.

The Bottom Line

Scientists say they lack understanding of the chemical reactions at high altitudes and potential climate tipping points that such massive deployments could trigger. While moving data centers off-Earth addresses ground-level power and cooling concerns, it would shift environmental impact to the upper atmosphere—where pollutants accumulate for years with limited natural removal mechanisms.