Elon Musk said Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) has ordered advanced solar manufacturing equipment from Germany’s Singulus Technologies, targeting 100 gigawatts of annual production capacity to power its planned Starmind artificial intelligence satellites.
SpaceX Secures German Solar Manufacturing Technology
"SpaceX has ordered 100 GW/year of HJT solar manufacturing equipment from Singulus in Germany," Musk wrote in an X post on Tuesday. "This is for Starmind to create a sentient sun."
In its November 10 announcement, Singulus confirmed a contract to supply SpaceX with a complete heterojunction solar-cell production line worth more than €60 million ($66.92 million), with additional lines planned. The German manufacturer expects to deliver the first line during the first half of 2027, supporting satellite production in Bastrop, Texas. Singulus said SpaceX had provided financing in March and October under their strategic partnership.
"Partnering with SINGULUS gives us a high-performance manufacturing path for solar cells for our Starmind satellites," SpaceX Starlink executive Mike Nicolls said in the company’s release.
Starmind Satellites Target Massive Orbital Computing Capacity
SpaceX’s official Starmind specifications describe satellites with 75-meter solar-array wingspans and computing payloads reaching 250 kilowatts of peak power. The company plans to use orbital sunlight to power onboard AI processors, dissipate heat through radiators and transmit results using laser connections to Starlink satellites.
Musk has previously explained how orbital radiators could manage computing heat, while SpaceX targets initial satellite manufacturing at its Gigasat facility in late 2027.
SpaceX Pursues Million-Satellite AI Network
In January, SpaceX sought Federal Communications Commission authorization for a constellation of up to one million solar-powered AI satellites.
SpaceX executives aim to begin orbital AI computing demonstrations by late 2027, ahead of a broader deployment timeline of as early as 2028 outlined in the company’s IPO filing. The report also highlighted potential delays tied to Starship’s development and satellite manufacturing.
Musk has also outlined plans to use Nvidia Corp.’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) computing technology for Starmind, while Reuters reported in April that analysts questioned the economics of launching, cooling and upgrading orbital data centers.
Price Action: SPCX shares were trading 0.70% higher at $144.10 in after-hours trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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