SpaceX to Invest Over $74 Billion in Two Supercomputing Campuses

What happened

Reuters reported on Nov 12, citing a SpaceX statement, that the company plans to invest more than $74 billion in two supercomputing campuses: one at Starbase, Texas, for about $24 billion, and another in Cochise County, Arizona, for about $50 billion. The Arizona campus needs approval from Cochise County and is expected to create about 5,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.

The Starbase facility will generate its own electricity rather than draw from the public grid. Earlier this week, the company said it was planning a gas-fired power plant and supercomputing facility at Starbase, which this site covered on Nov 10; the new announcement adds the Arizona campus and the total figure, with Starbase's $24 billion included in the $74 billion.

The company statement did not say what the two campuses will be used for, when they will open, or how they will be funded. The Arizona campus still needs county approval, with its site inside Cochise County; no construction schedule or opening date was given for Starbase either.

Key facts

1. Total: More than $74 billion across two supercomputing campuses
2. Texas: About $24 billion for the Starbase site, which will generate its own electricity rather than draw from the public grid
3. Arizona: About $50 billion for the Cochise County campus, which needs county approval
4. Jobs: The Arizona campus is expected to create about 5,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs
5. Earlier plan: The company said earlier this week it was planning a gas-fired power plant and supercomputing facility at Starbase; this site covered it on Nov 10
6. Undisclosed: The campuses' specific uses, start dates and funding sources were not stated