SpaceX to deploy space-based AI computing power by 2027! Expected to benefit three major publicly listed Taiwanese manufacturers, with orders coming in nonstop.

After SpaceX’s successful IPO, it has moved into the space AI market, planning to deploy 10 billion watts of computing power by the end of 2030. The move is expected to boost upgrade demand for NVIDIA servers and space optical communications, with Taiwan’s supply-chain vendors such as Foxconn and United Asia seeing their orders fully booked.

SpaceX recently completed its IPO, with a market valuation projected to reach $2.1 trillion. Musk has also immediately revealed his ambitions to enter the space artificial intelligence (AI) market, stating that by the end of 2027 it plans to deploy up to 1GW of AI computing power in space, and to expand that to 100GW by 2030. This could bring substantial opportunities to Taiwan’s ODM server and optical communications manufacturers—companies such as Foxconn (2317), Quanta (2382), Wistron (3231), and United Asia (3081) are reportedly seeing orders fully booked.

SpaceX Unveils Its Space AI Blueprint: AI1 Satellite Equipped with NVIDIA GB300, Targeting a 100 GW Scale

SpaceX has recently released the design draft and key technical parameters for its first-generation AI satellite, “AI1,” announcing its entry into the space AI market. According to the company’s plan, the AI1 satellite will launch with NVIDIA GB300 AI server rack systems, aiming to achieve 1GW of AI computing power deployed in space by the end of 2027, advance to commercial operations in 2028, and expand to a scale of 100GW by 2030.

Industry analysts say that the primary first step in SpaceX’s push for space AI is to build AI server rack systems at large scale. Based on AI1’s power configuration, each satellite corresponds to one set of GB300 AI server rack systems, and a single GB300 cabinet consumes about 135kW of electricity. By this calculation, achieving the 1GW annual deployment target means building approximately 7,400 additional GB300 AI server cabinets per year—an order volume described as highly impressive.

ODM makers welcome a new wave of computing-power orders; Foxconn, Quanta, and Wistron secure key assembly roles

The Economic Daily notes that, given the enormous demand for AI servers, the industry expects server-assembly business to continue being handled by Taiwan’s major ODM companies. Foxconn (2317), Quanta (2382), and Wistron (3231) are seen as the most direct beneficiaries: after completing assembly of the AI server rack systems, they deliver them to SpaceX for integration of the satellite’s core body, along with calibration and testing to ensure adaptability to space environments.

With SpaceX’s successful IPO, the ample funding following the offering is also expected to accelerate SpaceX’s AI1 satellite mass production and deployment timeline, which in turn may drive Taiwan’s AI server supply chain to enter a peak ordering season earlier.

Satellite laser links upgraded to 1Tbps; the optical communications supply chain benefits across the board

In addition to server hardware demand, SpaceX’s space AI strategy will also drive comprehensive upgrades in optical communications technology. At present, the laser optical links used by SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink satellites can support high-speed bandwidth of up to 1Tbps per orbital plane. The plan also calls for enabling direct interconnection between AI1 satellites via more advanced laser optical links, building a high-throughput, low-latency data transmission network in space. This will help large-scale AI computing workloads be efficiently coordinated across different satellite nodes and accelerate overall computing performance.

Upgrades along this technology route will directly boost strong demand for upstream optical communications components. International laser giants Coherent (COHR) and Lumentum (LITE) are considered core component suppliers for laser optical link direct-connection functions.

United Asia and Lianjun deepen into SpaceX’s supply chain; Taiwan satellite component makers maintain steady shipment momentum

On the Taiwanese supply-side layout, United Asia (3081), thanks to its core indium phosphide (InP) epitaxial wafer technology, has become an indispensable upstream materials supplier for international laser giants such as Coherent and Lumentum. Lianjun (3450), as a Coherent laser packaging subcontracting partner, occupies a key position in midstream manufacturing. Both are expected to benefit directly from this wave of upgrades in space optical communications.

In addition, satellite component suppliers such as Shengtad, Tech (3491), Wacom (2313), and Yawua (2367) have maintained steady shipment momentum as overall satellite construction costs decline and market demand continues to expand. They are expected to continue enjoying supply-chain growth dividends during SpaceX’s large-scale deployment of AI satellites.

Looking across SpaceX’s space AI strategy—from computing-power deployment, to satellite manufacturing, to optical communications interconnection—Taiwan’s supply chain has secured a foothold in multiple key areas. As the deployment schedule for AI1 satellites becomes clearer, order visibility and financial outlooks for the related Taiwanese companies are also drawing close attention.

• This article is reprinted with permission from: 《Chain News》
• Original title: 《SpaceX Competes to Deploy 1GW of Space Computing Power by 2027, ODM and Optical Communications “Three Major Manufacturers” Can’t Keep Up with Orders》
• Original author: Crumax