TLDR
- Elon Musk confirms SpaceX’s computing arrangement with Anthropic is a six-month lease rather than an extended agreement
- A mutual 90-day exit provision exists following the initial lease period
- Monthly payments of $1.25 billion secure Anthropic’s access to SpaceX’s Colossus infrastructure
- SpaceX requested the abbreviated timeline, not Anthropic
- The company plans a June public offering seeking a $2 trillion market cap
Elon Musk clarified Thursday that the computing power agreement between SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic consists of a 180-day lease arrangement. His remarks came via X, addressing points from SpaceX’s recent IPO documentation.
SpaceX’s public offering documents indicated Anthropic would remit $1.25 billion monthly through May 2029. This language implied a prolonged commitment potentially totaling approximately $45 billion. Musk disputed this interpretation.
“SpaceX has not committed to leasing Colossus for years, although it’s possible that may be what happens,” Musk wrote.
The arrangement provides Anthropic with over 300 megawatts of computing infrastructure at SpaceX’s Memphis, Tennessee Colossus facility. The AI company has additionally secured rights to the forthcoming Colossus 2 installation.
Following the six-month initial term, both parties retain cancellation rights with 90 days advance notification. According to Musk, SpaceX initiated this framework.
“The short term was our request, not Anthropic’s,” he said.
Why SpaceX Wants Flexibility
Musk explained SpaceX might require reclaiming computing resources should internal requirements intensify. He emphasized the company would facilitate a reasonable transition for Anthropic if necessary.
“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 said.
Recent statements from Musk indicated SpaceX has engaged in discussions with additional firms regarding AI computing service offerings. This signals the aerospace company’s interest in expanding its data center business model.
SpaceX’s artificial intelligence division reported operational losses near $2.5 billion during Q1 this year against $818 million in revenue. The company consolidated xAI, its AI subsidiary, into SpaceX operations last year. xAI documented $6.36 billion in losses throughout 2025.
Providing computing capacity to external clients like Anthropic represents a revenue strategy for SpaceX’s data center investments. xAI’s Grok chatbot maintains substantially lower adoption compared to rival offerings from Anthropic and OpenAI.
SpaceX IPO on the Horizon
SpaceX initiated IPO proceedings last week with plans to secure $75 billion in capital. The aerospace giant targets a valuation ranging from $1.75 trillion to $2 trillion, scheduling the public debut for June.
The Colossus computing arrangement with Anthropic appeared in filing documents as a revenue stream. Musk’s clarification regarding lease duration directly addressed online commentary surrounding these disclosures.
Neither SpaceX nor Anthropic provided responses to media inquiries made after standard business hours.
Anthropoc will remit reduced monthly fees during May and June 2026, with standard payment terms commencing thereafter.
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