The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially accepted SpaceX’s groundbreaking filing for a proposed non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system, comprising up to one million spacecraft. This significant move formally integrates SpaceX’s ‘Orbital Data Center’ concept into the FCC’s review process and opens the proposal for public commentary.
FCC Invites Public Comment on Orbital Data Center Proposal
In a recent public notice, the FCC’s Space Bureau confirmed the acceptance of SpaceX’s application to deploy a novel NGSO satellite system. Dubbed the ‘SpaceX Orbital Data Center system,’ the initiative envisions a network of up to one million satellites operating at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,000 kilometers. Data transmission within this system would heavily rely on optical inter-satellite links.
The FCC filing characterizes the proposal as a long-term strategic endeavor. SpaceX outlined that this system represents a foundational step toward achieving ‘Kardashev II-level civilization – one that can harness the Sun’s full power.’ The satellites are designed to utilize high-bandwidth optical links for telemetry, tracking, and command operations, with data routed through space-based laser networks before reaching authorized ground stations.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr took to X to highlight the filing, informing the public that the Commission is now actively seeking comments on SpaceX’s proposal. Interested parties have until early March to submit their feedback.
The FCC welcomes and now seeks comment on the SpaceX application for Orbital Data Centers.
Also ReadThe proposed system would serve as a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization and serve other purposes, according to the applicant. pic.twitter.com/TDnUPuz9w7
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) February 4, 2026
SpaceX’s Vision for In-Orbit Computing
According to the FCC’s release, SpaceX’s orbital data center system is planned to operate in conjunction with its existing and future Starlink constellations. The notice indicates that the proposed satellites may establish connections not only within the new system but also with satellites from SpaceX’s first- and second-generation Starlink networks.
The filing also includes several waiver requests from SpaceX. These pertain to exemptions from specific NGSO milestone and surety bond requirements, alongside requests for flexibility in disclosing orbital plane and communication beam information. SpaceX has stated these waivers are essential to accommodate the scale and intricate architecture of the proposed system.
As noted in reports covering the filing, this proposal is not an immediate deployment plan but rather a comprehensive framework for future space-based computing infrastructure. SpaceX has previously articulated its vision for relocating energy-intensive computing tasks, such as AI workloads, to orbit. The company believes that the continuous solar power availability and vast physical scale in space could overcome limitations encountered on Earth.