xAI-SpaceX Merger, Moon Factory, IPO — 3 Key Takeaways
- SpaceX acquires xAI for $250 billion, the largest merger ever
- Half of xAI’s 12 co-founders have resigned
- Musk unveils plans to build an AI satellite factory on the moon
SpaceX-xAI, $1.25 Trillion Merger
On February 2nd, Musk announced the merger of SpaceX and xAI. The combined enterprise value is $1.25 trillion, the largest ever[CNBC]. The goal is to combine AI and rockets to create orbital data centers[TechCrunch].
Half of the Co-founders Left
Departures accelerated immediately after the merger. On February 10th, Tony Wu and Jimmy Ba resigned simultaneously[CNBC]. Babushkin, Kosik, and Szegedy had previously left, and Greg Yang stepped down due to Lyme disease. Six out of 12 are gone[TechCrunch].
Shooting AI Satellites from a Moon Factory?
Musk said in a staff meeting that he would build a factory on the moon. The idea is to build AI satellites and launch them into space with an electromagnetic catapult[TechCrunch]. Electromagnetic launch is possible on the moon because there is no atmosphere[Space.com]. This reverses his statement from 13 months ago that “the moon is a waste.”
The IPO is scheduled for June, with a target valuation of $1.5 trillion[Yahoo Finance]. It remains to be seen whether it will go smoothly, given the continuous departure of founders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main reason for the SpaceX-xAI merger?
A: It is a strategy to build orbital data centers in response to the explosive demand for AI. The idea is to combine SpaceX’s rockets and xAI’s AI to create a space-based computing infrastructure. They aim to solve the power and cooling limitations of terrestrial data centers in space.
Q: Why are xAI co-founders leaving?
A: Officially, it’s for personal reasons. Greg Yang’s reason was Lyme disease. However, considering the concentration of departures immediately after the merger, it is presumed that changes in roles or differences in vision after joining SpaceX had an impact.
Q: Is a moon factory realistic?
A: Electromagnetic mass drivers are theoretically possible. Since there is no atmosphere on the moon, it is possible to launch without friction. However, since there is no precedent for building manufacturing facilities on the moon, it is likely to be a long-term project lasting more than 10 years.
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References
- With co-founders leaving and an IPO looming, Elon Musk turns talk to the moon – TechCrunch (2026-02-10)
- Musk’s xAI, SpaceX combo is the biggest merger of all time – CNBC (2026-02-03)
- Nearly half of xAI’s founding team has now left the company – TechCrunch (2026-02-10)
- A city on the moon: Why SpaceX shifted its focus away from Mars – Space.com (2026-02-10)
- Elon Musk confirms SpaceX merger with xAI ahead of IPO – Yahoo Finance (2026-02-02)