7万亿独角兽正式诞生，SpaceX正式宣布全资收购人工智能初创公司xAI

Core Insights - SpaceX has officially acquired AI startup xAI, marking a significant step in Elon Musk's strategy for vertical integration within his business empire, particularly in the development of AI data centers in space [1][10] - The merger aims to create a "vertical integration innovation engine" that combines artificial intelligence, rocket technology, satellite internet, and real-time information platforms [1][10] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is part of Musk's vision to utilize space-based energy networks to build a "stellar-level" AI computing infrastructure, overcoming the physical limitations of terrestrial energy sources [1][10] - SpaceX and xAI have not disclosed the specific terms of the merger [11] Group 2: Company Backgrounds - SpaceX, founded in 2002, is the largest commercial rocket launch service provider globally, with capabilities in manufacturing, launching, recovering, and reusing rockets [3][13] - xAI, established in 2023, focuses on AI development and aims to understand the true nature of the universe, collaborating with Musk's other ventures like Tesla and X platform [3][13] Group 3: Financial Implications - Following the merger, SpaceX's valuation is expected to reach approximately $1.25 trillion, while xAI's post-funding valuation has surpassed $230 billion [4][14] - The combined entity will enter the "trillion-dollar club," becoming the highest-valued private company globally [4][14] Group 4: AI Data Center Vision - Musk emphasizes that the current AI development faces physical limits, and space technology is the only long-term solution to expand AI capabilities [6][16] - He predicts that within 2 to 3 years, space will become the most cost-effective location for AI computing power [6][16] Group 5: Future Plans - SpaceX plans to deploy up to 1 million satellites in low Earth orbit to create a space-based data center, which will utilize solar energy for computing tasks [8][18] - The company aims to launch 100 tons of payload per hour, significantly increasing the capacity for AI computing [8][17] - SpaceX is also accelerating its IPO process, with potential fundraising exceeding $50 billion, and plans to list around Musk's 55th birthday in June 2026 [9][19]