Google and SpaceX Discuss Rocket Launch Contract for Space-Based Data Center

It has been reported that Google has entered negotiations with SpaceX to realize its plan to build data centers in Earth's orbit.

On May 12 (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing multiple sources, reported that Google is in discussions with SpaceX for a rocket launch contract to build a space-based data center.

If the contract is finalized, Google and SpaceX could take the lead in the race to dominate the space-based data center market. Google is also an early investor in SpaceX and currently holds a 6.1% stake in the company. Don Harrison, President of Global Partnerships at Google, is also a member of the SpaceX board of directors.

Google has left open the possibility of collaborating with other rocket companies besides SpaceX. Previously, Google announced its space data center plan called 'Project Suncatcher' last year. Under this plan, Google stated it would launch a prototype satellite by 2027 in partnership with space data company Planet Labs.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, said in a Fox News interview at the time, "We will first send a small rack to a satellite for testing and then scale it up," expressing confidence that "in about ten years, this will be considered a standard approach to building data centers."