Tesla and SpaceX are also working on a multibillion-dollar joint project called the Terafab, a chip-manufacturing venture, highlighting how Musk’s companies are becoming increasingly interconnected around AI and compute infrastructure.
Elon Musk introduced Terafab, a project aiming to produce 1 terawatt of AI computing power annually, marking a shift toward orbital AI infrastructure. Intel joined as a key manufacturing partner, boosting its stock significantly.
I think that the whole purpose of this, regardless of talking about overall industry capacity, regardless of saying, hey, there might be an opportunity for us to make a contribution to the industry writ large, really, I think the Terafab vision is about helping SpaceX, helping xAI, helping Tesla to do what they need to do to build optimist robots, to make massive launches of goods and services into orbit to further Mars missions, solar power capacity for space based data centers.
SpaceX is also collaborating with Tesla on a proposed "Terafab" to produce specialist chips for space-based data centers and humanoid robots.
Intel stock is rallying as investors increasingly view the company as a critical AI manufacturing and infrastructure partner behind the massive Terafab project.
The filing also revealed plans to launch a money product offering payment, banking and other financial services. The company plans to deepen strategic collaboration with Tesla and Intel through a project called Terafab.
The Terafab project is meant to increase chip supply capacity as SpaceX's and Tesla's demand for chips climbs faster than their manufacturing partners are willing to expand production capacity.
At the heart of this transformation is the company’s “Terafab” semiconductor project, humanoid robots, autonomous robotaxis, and tight collaboration with SpaceX on custom chips and space‑based systems.
A Terafab chip complex in Texas involving Tesla and SpaceX could require at least $55 billion in investment, with some estimates climbing as high as $119 billion depending on future development phases, WSJ noted. The company is simultaneously investing heavily in launchpads, satellite manufacturing, solar-cell production and low-Earth-orbit infrastructure.
The centrepiece is the MATCH Act, which would require the Netherlands and Japan to align DUV lithography export restrictions with US rules within 150 days or face unilateral enforcement, cutting off ASML’s remaining China sales and banning servicing of existing machines. China has already enacted comprehensive supply chain security regulations and rare earth restrictions, while the US simultaneously builds domestic capacity through CHIPS Act investments and the $25B Terafab project.
HSBC also noted that increasing momentum at Samsung and Terafab could provide additional upside for the company. Earlier in the week, on May 5, Seaport Research also initiated coverage of Applied Materials with a Buy rating and a $500 price target. The firm said Applied appears to be the best-positioned company among global wafer fabrication equipment suppliers. While the company does not hold ASML’s monopoly position in EUV lithography...
Neutral Sentiment: Commentary around Elon Musk’s “Terafab” and Intel’s role as a manufacturing partner continues to fuel speculation that Intel could become a key AI infrastructure supplier over the long term.
I’d estimate Capex for Tesla and SpaceX likely is in the area of $40 Bn. in 2026, if not higher. Because TeraFab, xAI now SpaceX AI, and Orbital compute plans doesn’t come cheap. They barely make any money compared to their IPO valuation.
Ron Baron on CNBC: 1. Starlink will be worth up to $14T 2. SpaceX will be worth $10T – $30T or more 3. $1B IPO order 4. Would NOT bet on SpaceX-Tesla merger 5. Terafab saves big margins, 50X chips needed 6.
According to reports at the time, Terafab is designed to produce chips for Tesla vehicles, Optimus robots, and high-powered space computing applications — targeting 1 trillion watts of computing power per year.
Total investment in the mega semiconductor plant 'Terafab' that Elon Musk (일론 머스크) is pursuing in eastern Texas could reach as much as $119 billion (about 172.43 trillion won), it has been found.
Intel has the catalysts. The earnings beat was real. The foundry customer traction is becoming more visible. The Terafab commitment is enormous. Nvidia’s $5 billion investment adds strategic credibility.