Information Center

SpaceXAI is a leading company in artificial intelligence (AI) dedicated to accelerating human scientific discovery. Our mission is to build AI tools that assist researchers in solving complex challenges and developing new technologies. We are a company of engineers and problem solvers. Our flagship product, Grok, is an advanced AI companion designed to provide accurate and helpful answers to a wide range of questions.

Colossus is our AI supercomputing facility located in South Memphis, designed to support the training of large-scale models like Grok. It is one of the most powerful computing clusters in the world, enabling rapid advancements in AI research across education, transportation, space, and more.

SpaceXAI has and always will operate by the book. We have worked with city and county agencies to obtain all required permits for the construction of Colossus and all other infrastructure projects in Memphis, including the first MLGW substation and our planned water recycling plant.

SpaceXAI will draw power from Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) during standard operations via the substation(s) at our facility, which was built at no cost to MLGW. We are currently working with MLGW to construct a second substation at Colossuses, which will also be of no cost to MLGW. During emergency situations or when the grid is strained during times of deep cold or heat, SpaceXAI will disconnect from the grid entirely. SpaceXAI has planned for that contingency by installing more than 240 batteries onsite, and keeping fifteen natural gas turbines with best-in-class emission controls technology on-hand for any prolonged outage. This will ensure the community gets the power they need, when they need it.

SpaceXAI invested $35 million to build a 150MW substation to support our facility's power usage from MLGW, and we will invest another $20 million to build a second substation. These substations will come online at no cost to MLGW and will help provide stability to region's electrical grid. SpaceXAI is also working with MLGW and TVA to explore ways the company can further stabilize and even provide energy to the local grid.

In the early stages, we were concerned about how the electrical grid would react to the facility coming online. By temporarily generating our own power needs, SpaceXAI ensured the grid was not subjected to swings in demand. Now that we have finished constructing the first MLGW substation, we have begun removing the temporary natural gas turbines onsite and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months. SpaceXAI has applied for a permit from the Shelby County Health Department to permanently house 15 natural gas generators at our facility – equipped with best-in-class emissions control technologies – which will only be used for back-up power generation during periods of prolonged outages.

The temporary natural gas turbines SpaceXAI is using are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Shelby County Health Department has confirmed, according to guidance provided by the U.S. EPA Region 4 staff, that temporary natural gas turbines do not require Title V local air permits until and unless the turbines remain in operation in the same location for more than 364 days. In accordance with existing law and regulations, SpaceXAI will not install any permanent generators until we receive approval from the Shelby County Health Department.

No. From the start, SpaceXAI trucked in water which it recycled through an internal closed-loop system to cool the supercomputer. SpaceXAI also is working to bolster and protect the Memphis Sand Aquifer for the long term – at no cost to the city. We are building a $80 million, state-of-the-art water recycling plant in the next two years, protecting approximately 4.745 billion gallons of the Memphis Aquifer each year, and eliminating the need for our facility to draw from the Memphis Aquifer for industrial use. In addition to serving our facility, the recycling plant will serve other major industrial users in the area, which will further reduce demand on the Memphis Aquifer and protect the City's current and future water needs.

SpaceXAI constructed Colossus to be the lowest emitting facility of its kind in the country. As it will primarily draw power directly from the MLGW grid, and day-to-day operations will generate very few emissions. Additionally, drawing back-up power from our on-site battery storage will not generate emissions. In the instances where power from the permanent, back-up generators is required, each will be equipped with SoLoNOx dry low emissions (DLE) technology and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that lower nitrogen oxides (NOx) to 2 ppm, which is in line with the U.S. EPA's Lowest Achievable Emission Rate.

SpaceXAI chose to build Colossus in Memphis because of the city's innovative spirit, available land zoned for industrial use, and the unprecedented, effective collaboration from local entities including MLGW, TVA, City of Memphis and Shelby County which has enabled us to set-up our operations at a record pace, while keeping the wellbeing of Memphians top-of-mind. We are committed to being good neighbors and responsible partners in the community, and our goal is to one day be recognized as a cornerstone of the city. We have invested billions of dollars in the local economy and will continue to provide additional economic benefits as we grow our operations.

SpaceXAI is taking an active role in the community, working with local leaders and organizations to listen, identify and undertake important projects that better and strengthen the region. And we've hit the ground running. Our dedicated crews are actively enhancing the beauty and safety of Memphis by clearing miles of highways and roads. To date, we have removed over 300 discarded mattresses, more than 500 18-wheeler tires, and 15,000 pounds of debris. In partnership with local contractors from the Westwood community, we plan to support John P. Freeman, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School schools with several projects, including updating HVAC systems, PA systems, cafeteria furniture, and improvements to football and baseball fields. We conducted surveys at these schools to identify the best opportunities to support students and staff. We have partnered with Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and are assisting in their fundraising effort to build a local community center. We've donated $350,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis to support its mission of empowering youth in Westwood and across Memphis.

Yes. SpaceXAI has open lines of communication with community leaders and local officials. We look forward to expanding our partnerships with community members as we continue to plant roots in Memphis over the coming years. For more information regarding Colossusand SpaceXAI's commitment to the Memphis community, please visit Our Commitment.

Our facilities will create hundreds of permanent jobs in the greater Memphis community and across Tennessee, as we hire vendors and businesses to support our operations, creating opportunities for many more Memphians. SpaceXAI has already contributed tens of millions of dollars in local tax revenue since we arrived in Memphis in March 2024. Based on current expansion plans, that number is likely to exceed $100 million by next year. We have also worked with local government officials to establish matching contributions for the portion of our tax dollars that go directly to the Memphis community, literally doubling down on our commitment to invest in the people and places that make this city special.