A proposed SpaceX orbital data center could involve up to 1 million satellites, but the Federal Communications Commission has not granted authority as Blue Origin and NASA pursue other space infrastructure plans.
SpaceX filed the request Jan. 30. An FCC notice on Feb. 4 accepted the application for filing and invited public comment. SpaceX’s filing lists operating altitudes of 500 to 2,000 kilometers. The notice opens the proposal to public input but gives no authority to operate.
Blue Origin announced TeraWave on Jan. 21, 2026, as a global-connectivity network for enterprise, data-center and government users. Its low Earth orbit layer would have 5,280 satellites, with another 128 in medium Earth orbit, for 5,408 in all. Blue Origin says the medium-orbit tier is designed for optical throughput of up to 6 terabits per second. The company targets the start of deployment for the fourth quarter of 2027.
NASA’s 2027 Artemis III demonstration is planned for low Earth orbit and is to involve lander test articles from both companies. The plan calls for two separate rendezvous and docking maneuvers involving Orion. NASA targets early 2028 for Artemis IV, its first planned lunar landing. SpaceX is developing that mission’s lander, while Blue Origin’s lander is assigned to Artemis V.
Separately, Blue Origin says its Blue Alchemist project could process lunar regolith into oxygen, metals and materials for solar power systems. The company lists an autonomous demonstration in a simulated lunar environment as the next phase, planned for 2026. Pat Remias, Blue Origin’s vice president for Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering, said oxygen made on the Moon would mean “one less that we have to launch from Earth.” The system remains in development.
