IT之家 2 月 3 日消息，SpaceX 公司于当地时间周一宣布，该公司已收购埃隆・马斯克旗下的人工智能初创企业 xAI，由此成为全球市值最高的私营公司。 身为 SpaceX 首席执行官的马斯克，在这家火箭公司官网发布的内部备忘录中写道，此次合并的核心目的是打造天基数据中心，这是他近几个月来一直执着 推进的构想。 据率先披露这笔交易完成消息的彭博新闻社报道，合并后新公司的估值达到 1.25 万亿美元（IT之家注：现汇率约合 8.7 万亿元人民币）。有消息称， SpaceX 最早计划于今年 6 月启动首次公开募股（IPO），目前尚不清楚此次合并是否会打乱这一时间表，马斯克在公开的备忘录中并未提及 IPO 相关事 宜。 此次合并整合了马斯克旗下两家均面临财务压力的公司。彭博社数据显示，xAI 目前每月的资金消耗约为 10 亿美元；而据路透社报道，SpaceX 高达 80% 的 营收来自自身星链（Starlink）卫星的发射业务。去年，xAI 收购了同样由马斯克持有的社交媒体公司 X（原推特），当时马斯克宣称合并后的公司估值为 1130 亿美元（现汇率约合 7869.3 亿元人民币）。 马斯克在备忘录中表示，搭建 ...

Core Viewpoint - The competition for AI computing power is expanding into space, with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin exploring space-based computing platforms as the next phase of capacity expansion [2][3]. Group 1: Space-Based Computing Platforms - The demand for data centers supporting AI is driving tech and space companies to consider space-based computing platforms for capacity expansion [3]. - Companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are actively pursuing opportunities in space to enhance their AI business [3]. - Startups like Starcoud, supported by NVIDIA, are deploying GPUs on satellites to train AI models in orbit, while Google plans to test its hardware and AI models in space by 2027 [3]. Group 2: Technical Challenges - The space environment poses significant technical challenges for the large-scale deployment of high-performance computing payloads [5]. - While sun-synchronous orbits provide strong solar energy, radiation in these environments can damage unshielded electronic devices, necessitating radiation-hardened computing equipment, which increases costs and payload weight [5]. - The thermal management of sensitive chips in the vacuum of space is particularly challenging, with a 1 GW orbital data center potentially requiring heat dissipation 15,000 times greater than that of the International Space Station [5]. Group 3: Launch Demand Growth - The deployment of space-based data centers is expected to increase launch demand, benefiting providers like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab [6]. - The development of heavy-lift rockets, such as the Starship and New Glenn, may require hundreds of flights to fully deploy a large-scale space data center, creating ongoing launch opportunities [7]. - Even small initial deployments are likely to sustain launch demand exceeding supply, presenting opportunities for major launch providers [7]. Group 4: Impact on Space Infrastructure - The widespread deployment of space-based data centers will generate comprehensive demand for space infrastructure, including satellites, payloads, space stations, and orbital platforms [6][8]. - High-bandwidth secure data transmission required for AI applications will increase the demand for laser communication, with providers like SpaceX and Myani involved in this space [8]. - The deployment of large space assets will create opportunities for developers like Voyager Technologies and Axiom, which plans to deploy orbital data center infrastructure nodes to the International Space Station by 2027 [8].

Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk hinted that SpaceX may go public with an IPO, potentially raising over $25 billion and achieving a valuation exceeding $1 trillion [1][2]. Group 1: IPO Plans - SpaceX is reportedly seeking to launch an IPO in mid-2024, with plans to raise over $25 billion [1]. - Bloomberg reported that the IPO fundraising target could exceed $30 billion, with a potential listing timeframe extending to mid-2026 or even 2027 depending on market conditions [1][2]. - The IPO could become the second-largest in history, following Saudi Aramco's IPO in 2019 [1]. Group 2: Financial Projections - SpaceX's revenue is projected to reach approximately $15 billion in 2025, increasing to between $22 billion and $24 billion in 2026, primarily driven by its Starlink business [2]. - The company has maintained positive cash flow for several years and conducts regular stock buybacks to provide liquidity for employees and investors [2]. Group 3: Use of IPO Proceeds - A portion of the funds raised from the IPO is expected to be allocated towards developing space-based data centers, including the purchase of chips [2]. Group 4: Company Status - SpaceX is recognized as the second-highest valued private startup globally, following OpenAI [2].

Core Viewpoint - SpaceX is advancing its IPO plan with a fundraising target exceeding $30 billion and a valuation goal of approximately $1.5 trillion [2][3] Group 1: IPO Plans - SpaceX management and advisors are pushing for the company to complete its IPO between mid-2026 and the end of 2026, although the timeline may be adjusted based on market conditions [2] - There is a possibility that the IPO could be delayed until 2027 according to sources [2] Group 2: Revenue Projections - The company is expected to generate approximately $15 billion in revenue in 2025, increasing to between $22 billion and $24 billion in 2026, primarily driven by its Starlink business [3] Group 3: Use of Proceeds - The funds raised from the IPO are intended for the development of space-based data centers, including the procurement of necessary chips for their operation [3] Group 4: Valuation Context - Recent reports indicated that SpaceX is initiating a secondary stock sale, with a potential valuation reaching $800 billion, positioning it to compete with OpenAI for the title of "most valuable private company" globally [3] - However, Elon Musk has denied the accuracy of these reports, stating that the information is incorrect [3]