Elon Musk Clarifies SpaceX’s Focus, Denies Phone Development Amidst Rumors
San Francisco, CA – Elon Musk has emphatically refuted reports suggesting that SpaceX is developing a mobile phone. The billionaire entrepreneur clarified the company’s position twice on the social media platform X, calling a recent report by Reuters “relentless” falsehoods.
Rumors of a Starlink-Integrated Device Surface
Earlier reports, citing sources familiar with the matter, indicated that SpaceX executives had been discussing the potential creation of a mobile device designed to connect directly to the Starlink satellite constellation. This news fueled speculation about a new entrant in the mobile device market from the space exploration company.
Musk’s Previous Statements and Current Rejection
While Musk had previously acknowledged the possibility of SpaceX developing a unique device at some point, stating in late January that it was “not out of the question at some point,” he emphasized that such a device would be significantly different from current smartphones. He described it as being “optimized purely for running max performance/watt neural nets.”
However, his recent statements on X leave no room for ambiguity regarding current projects. In response to the Reuters report, Musk posted, “Reuters lies relentlessly,” followed by a direct denial: “We are not developing a phone.”
SpaceX’s Current Priorities and Starlink’s Growth
Musk has consistently highlighted that SpaceX has numerous ongoing projects, making the development of a phone an unlikely immediate focus. The company’s current endeavors include significant advancements in its Starlink satellite internet service, which boasts over 9,500 satellites in orbit and serves more than 9 million users globally. Approximately 650 satellites are dedicated to its direct-to-device initiative, aiming to provide global cellular coverage.
SpaceX’s focus remains on its core operations, including the expansion of Starlink and the ongoing merger with xAI, which aims to combine artificial intelligence expertise with space capabilities. The company’s substantial revenue, estimated between $15 billion and $16 billion last year with approximately $8 billion in profit, with Starlink contributing significantly, underscores its current business trajectory.