To facilitate the deployment of AI-dedicated data center satellite networks, Elon Musk's latest concept involves launching satellites into Earth's orbit using an electromagnetic catapult system based on the Moon.

This concept includes two core infrastructures: one is a satellite assembly plant built on the lunar surface for manufacturing satellites locally; the other is a giant electromagnetic catapult responsible for accurately delivering satellites to Earth's low orbit.

This is not Musk's first mention of advancing toward the Moon this year. In early February, during a meeting with all employees of his artificial intelligence company xAI, Musk initially outlined the blueprint for a lunar satellite factory, stating that the company needs to build factories on the Moon to manufacture AI satellites. He mentioned that a massive space catapult could send AI satellites into space. He plans to achieve an unmanned lunar landing by March 2027 and stated that SpaceX’s focus has shifted to building a 'self-sustaining city' on the Moon, which he believes can be achieved in less than a decade.

Behind the seemingly radical 'space expansion' concept lies Musk's profound concern over the contradiction between computing power and energy in the AI era. At the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, he stated that the fundamental constraint on AI deployment is electricity. The production of AI chips is growing exponentially, but the growth in power supply is sluggish, hindering the efficiency of training and deploying models in AI data centers. He believes that Earth's energy supply can no longer meet the exponential growth of AI infrastructure, whereas space offers an inexhaustible source of solar energy, making it an ideal solution to this bottleneck.

SpaceX recently submitted an application to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission proposing to deploy a system of up to one million satellites in low Earth orbit to construct an in-orbit data center network to support high-performance computing needs such as AI. According to the application documents, these satellites are planned to operate at altitudes of approximately 500 to 2000 kilometers in low Earth orbit, powered by solar energy. They will primarily communicate with each other and connect with the company's Starlink satellite internet via lasers to ensure high-speed data transmission. This approach can reduce operational and maintenance costs and alleviate the pressure on traditional ground-based data centers regarding energy consumption and environmental impact.

What is an electromagnetic catapult?

An electromagnetic catapult is a new type of launch technology that accelerates objects to ultra-high speeds using electromagnetic force, achieving efficient launches by converting electrical energy into kinetic energy. It fundamentally differs from traditional chemical-fuel rockets and represents a novel approach to rocket launches. It is equivalent to building a 'zero-stage booster' on the ground for rockets, accelerating them to supersonic speeds before ignition and liftoff, with the potential to reduce launch costs by 90% to less than $500 per kilogram.

With its rapid reset and charging characteristics, the electromagnetic catapult system supports multiple intensive launches per day, enhancing launch frequency. This high-frequency capability holds strategic significance for the deployment of large constellations. Additionally, since electromagnetic catapult rockets eliminate the need for the first-stage rocket boosters, they save on the first-stage fuel and reusable carriers, significantly improving payload ratios and thereby increasing the economic benefits of each launch while reducing overall launch costs.

The core principle of electromagnetic catapult technology is to propel objects using powerful Lorentz forces. The system typically consists of rails or coils. When a strong current passes through the rails or coils, it generates a moving electromagnetic field. The 'catapult' or payload container located between the rails experiences tremendous thrust within the magnetic field, accelerating forward along the rails until it reaches a preset extremely high speed before departing.

Currently, this technology has been explored on Earth. The 'High-Power Cryogenic Refrigeration System and Prototype Superconducting Magnet Development Service Project,' undertaken by Lianchuang Optoelectronics subsidiary Lianchuang Superconductivity, was successfully delivered and passed inspection by the end of 2025, marking the successful completion of its first engineering order in the field of commercial aerospace electromagnetic launch. Galactic Energy has initiated the development of the 'Ceres-2,' employing electromagnetic catapult technology. The rocket's takeoff weight is 100 tons, with a payload capacity increased to 3.5 tons. This electromagnetic catapult rocket will conduct its maiden flight in Ziyang in 2028. Xiang Electric Co., Ltd.'s technology has already been applied to the electromagnetic catapult system of China’s Fujian aircraft carrier. The company is now transferring its mature ship-based electromagnetic catapult technology to the aerospace sector...

Musk envisions a 'lunar electromagnetic catapult' that would use the Moon as a launch base. This concept offers significant theoretical advantages. First, the Moon's gravity is only one-sixth that of Earth's, and there is no atmospheric resistance, meaning far less energy is required to launch objects of the same weight compared to Earth. Second, the abundant solar energy available on the lunar surface can provide a continuous supply of clean energy for the catapult system. Additionally, launching from the Moon avoids the increasingly crowded spacecraft and space debris found in low-Earth orbit.

In simple terms, the lunar electromagnetic catapult is theoretically feasible and offers advantages that traditional fuel launches do not possess. However, realizing this vision still faces insurmountable technical obstacles.

The first challenge is the scale of the project. Analysis suggests that this electromagnetic catapult system may need to be several kilometers in length. Constructing such a massive facility on the lunar surface would require establishing a permanent human base and transporting thousands of tons of construction materials to the Moon—a feat humanity has never achieved.

The second challenge is launch precision. Although the electromagnetic catapult process is highly efficient, the acceleration phase is extremely intense. Designing a sufficiently gentle acceleration curve to ensure that delicate and fragile AI electronics are not damaged by the immense acceleration during the catapult process presents a significant challenge.

The third issue is energy demand. The lunar version must accelerate satellites to over 2.2 kilometers per second to escape the Moon's gravitational pull. The amount of electricity required for each launch is staggering, and constructing a power grid on the Moon capable of supporting high-frequency launches remains an open question.

Editor/Doris