Key Highlights
- SpaceX’s computing arrangement with Anthropic is structured as a 180-day lease rather than a long-term commitment, according to Elon Musk
- Both parties can terminate the agreement with 90-day notice following the initial lease period
- Monthly payments from Anthropic to SpaceX amount to $1.25 billion for Colossus data center access
- SpaceX requested the abbreviated lease duration to maintain operational flexibility
- The rocket company plans a June public offering seeking a market cap between $1.75 trillion and $2 trillion
Elon Musk clarified on Thursday that the computing capacity arrangement between SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic consists of a 180-day lease agreement. His explanation came through a statement on X, addressing details from SpaceX’s recent IPO documentation.
SpaceX’s public offering paperwork had outlined Anthropic‘s ongoing monthly installments of $1.25 billion extending through May 2029. This language implied a comprehensive multi-year partnership potentially totaling approximately $45 billion. Musk contested this interpretation.
“SpaceX has not committed to leasing Colossus for years, although it’s possible that may be what happens,” Musk stated.
The arrangement provides Anthropic with computing resources exceeding 300 megawatts from SpaceX’s Colossus facility located in Memphis, Tennessee. The AI company has additionally secured access to the forthcoming Colossus 2 infrastructure.
Following the first 180 days, both organizations retain the right to terminate with 90-day advance notification. Musk emphasized that SpaceX initiated this flexible framework.
“The short term was our request, not Anthropic’s,” he explained.
SpaceX’s Strategic Reasoning Behind Flexibility
Musk indicated that SpaceX might require reclaiming the computing infrastructure should internal requirements intensify. He committed to providing Anthropic with adequate transition arrangements under such circumstances.
“We won’t leave them hanging and will provide a reasonable off-ramp, but if compute gets super tight I said we might need it back at some point,” Musk commented.
In recent days, Musk disclosed that SpaceX has engaged in discussions with additional organizations regarding artificial intelligence computing services. This indicates the aerospace manufacturer’s intentions to expand its data center operations into a commercial offering.
During the first quarter of this year, SpaceX’s artificial intelligence division reported operational losses approaching $2.5 billion against revenues of $818 million. The corporation integrated its AI subsidiary, xAI, into SpaceX operations during the previous year. xAI’s 2025 financial results showed losses totaling $6.36 billion.
Generating income through compute capacity leases to external clients such as Anthropic represents one avenue for SpaceX to monetize its substantial data center investments. The xAI Grok conversational AI platform maintains a significantly smaller user base compared to rival offerings from Anthropic and OpenAI.
SpaceX’s Upcoming Public Market Debut
SpaceX submitted IPO documentation last week with plans to secure $75 billion in capital. The aerospace enterprise seeks a market valuation ranging from $1.75 trillion to $2 trillion, with the public offering scheduled for June.
The Colossus computing partnership with Anthropic appeared in that regulatory filing as a revenue stream. Musk’s explanation regarding the lease duration came as a direct reply to online conversations about the IPO documents.
Neither SpaceX nor Anthropic provided responses to media inquiries submitted after standard business hours.
Anthropic’s payment structure includes reduced monthly amounts during May and June 2026, with standard payment levels commencing in subsequent months.
