Reflection AI has signed a major computing power deal with SpaceX worth up to $6.3 billion, gaining access to Nvidia GB300 chips at Elon Musk’s Colossus 2 data center. The open-source AI startup will pay SpaceX $150 million per month starting July 1, 2026, through 2029, according to materials viewed by CNBC.
The agreement allows either company to terminate with 90 days’ notice after the first three months. If the deal runs through its full term, the total value reaches approximately $6.3 billion.
SpaceX has transformed its Colossus infrastructure into a commercial computing power platform since its record initial public offering in June 2026. The company has already struck similar deals with Anthropic, Google, and Cursor, and is now acquiring Cursor in an all-stock transaction. Reflection represents another significant customer, and a strategically distinct one focused on open-source models.
The timing carries particular significance. Anthropic recently cut off access to its Fable and Mythos models, raising concerns about the risks of depending exclusively on closed-model providers for critical work. According to CNBC, this episode has strengthened the pitch from open-model companies that customers should be able to inspect, customize, and run models with more control.
Reflection, valued at $25 billion in its most recent funding round, has positioned itself as an open-source alternative to closed systems from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. “Recent events highlight how important open source is to the AI ecosystem, with more nations and enterprises recognizing the risks and costs associated with exclusively depending on closed models,” a Reflection spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC.
The startup has not yet released a public frontier open-source model but has been building momentum with government and national security customers. Reflection is working with the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission and has been part of broader Pentagon AI efforts. The company secured $2 billion in funding at an $8 billion valuation in October 2025.
For SpaceX, the deal underscores how compute itself has become strategic currency in the AI race. Access to advanced Nvidia chips remains one of the biggest constraints for companies training and serving frontier models. By opening Colossus to outside customers, SpaceX is positioning itself alongside cloud providers and AI infrastructure companies racing to sell scarce GPU capacity.
Sources
- CNBC — SpaceX compute deal with Reflection AI, monthly payment structure, Colossus data center details, and broader SpaceX infrastructure strategy
- Reuters — Context on AI compute deals and Anthropic’s infrastructure partnerships
- The Washington Post — Reflection AI’s focus on open-source models and national security
