SpaceX has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval to deploy as many as one million satellites, outlining an ambitious plan to build what it calls an “orbital data center system.” The network, designed to operate entirely in space, would process large-scale artificial intelligence workloads in orbit, effectively functioning as a vast, distributed supercomputer circling the Earth.

China controls about 90% of global rare earth mining, turning the sector into a strategic lever against tariffs imposed by the US and port fees targeting Chinese vessels. Kung Ming-hsin, Minister of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, said recycling, refining, and electronic waste processing could meet up to 50% of domestic rare earth demand. The US values such “urban mining” capabilities and hopes Taiwan can export the technology to other countries, while also seeking new rare earth sources in partnership with Taiwan.