SpaceX: AI division surpasses Starlink and rockets in revenue

SpaceX ended the third quarter of 2026 with total revenue of US$ 14.6 billion, a 161% jump compared to the same period last year. The highlight was the Super Intelligence segment, which encompasses artificial intelligence and cloud computing businesses. The division generated US$ 7.6 billion in the quarter and also recorded operating profit. As a result, the AI unit surpassed the revenues of Starlink and rocket launch services. The figures were released by the company and reported by the TNW website on Wednesday, October 21.

Super Intelligence is now the company's largest revenue driver, accounting for more than half of total revenue for the period. The performance solidifies SpaceX's bet on computing infrastructure for AI models, a growing market. The company, known for reusable rockets and satellite internet, has been diversifying its revenue sources in recent years. Growth in the segment also comes amid high demand for processing capacity to train and run generative systems. Still, SpaceX did not detail which specific clients or products drove the division's numbers.

Starlink, which for a long time was SpaceX's main revenue source, continues to grow but lost internal leadership. Launch services, including NASA contracts and commercial missions, also remain relevant to the company's cash flow. The shift in revenue profile reflects a broader market movement, where space infrastructure companies seek new revenues beyond orbital transport. The AI division, however, already operates at a profit, indicating that heavy investment in data centers and chips is paying off. Analysts are closely watching whether the trend holds in the coming quarters.

The results reinforce the change in SpaceX's profile, which has begun competing in the AI infrastructure market alongside Amazon and Microsoft. The company did not detail investments in the segment, but the operating profit indicates that the operation is already self-sustaining. Starlink and launches remain pillars, though with a smaller share of total revenue. For the coming quarters, the trend is that AI will continue to drive growth, according to TNW. SpaceX made no further comments beyond the figures released in the report.