The ambitious plans of Elon Musk for the future of SpaceX and humanity in space are not just a science fiction scenario, but are based on a disruptive scientific theory born in the 1960s. At the heart of his new vision lies the Kardashev scale, a tool proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964 to classify potential alien civilizations based on the energy they can harness and consume. SpaceX has already filed an official request with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), seeking unprecedented permission to launch up to 1 million new satellites into orbit. The ultimate goal of Musk is not simply providing internet, but creating giant data centers in space. As the billionaire himself revealed in a video shared on the social media platform X, this astronomical constellation of satellites will be the first step to turn humanity into a "Type II civilization according to Kardashev."
What is the Kardashev scale
This theory divides technologically advanced civilizations into three main categories: Type I Civilization: Can exploit the entirety of the energy resources of its home planet (e.g., wind, geothermal, or solar energy reaching Earth). Type II Civilization: Has the capability to harness and consume the total energy of its host star (our Sun), while transmitting information across galactic distances. Type III Civilization: Controls the energy of an entire galaxy. According to a recent 2023 scientific study, humanity today is still far from even the first step, as it sits at just the 0.7276 level. At current rates, the transition to Type I would require thousands of years, unless a technological revolution occurs, such as nuclear fusion. Elon Musk, however, chooses to bypass the rules, characteristically stating that "any self-respecting civilization must at least reach Type II."
Artificial Intelligence pushes data centers into space
Although the idea of moving data centers into orbit sounds surreal, scientists point out that we may soon have no other choice. The explosive rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires mythical amounts of energy and water to cool terrestrial systems, triggering intense environmental backlash. Moving these energy-intensive infrastructures off-planet could provide the solution. Planetary physicist Philip Metzger, a former NASA executive, agrees with Musk's philosophy on the need to move heavy industry into space and onto the Moon. As he emphasizes, this way we will protect Earth's environment from total destruction, making a direct leap toward Type II.
The plan of Musk, however, does not escape criticism. Leading astrophysicists warn of the immense risks such an endeavor entails. Astronomy professor Jason Wright explains that to fully conquer the energy of the Sun (which theoretically requires building a giant structure of solar panels around the star, known as a Dyson sphere), one would need materials with a mass greater than all the asteroids in our system combined. Such an intervention could permanently alter the structure of the solar system and threaten the sustainability of Earth itself. "This is not a realistic or desirable goal for humanity," Wright clarifies.
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