The Bunker – News without the nonsense Elon Musk's A.I. gamble – Could it destroy him?
Mar 5, 2026
Henry Tricks, US technology editor at The Economist, breaks down Elon Musk’s latest gambit. He explains the plan to merge SpaceX with xAI and proposes satellite data centres in orbit. He assesses the risks to Musk’s empire, explores technical and regulatory hurdles, and contrasts Musk’s management style and rivalries with possible paths to profit.
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Merging SpaceX And xAI To Inflate An IPO
- Elon Musk is merging SpaceX with xAI to create an AI-space nexus that could boost a SpaceX IPO and outshine OpenAI's market value.
- Henry Tricks says the move ties Musk's space launch monopoly to AI hype as a way to raise SpaceX valuation quickly.
Musk Turns Fringe Ideas Into Mainstream Debates
- Musk's announcements often spark attention and put new ideas on the zeitgeist despite implausible timelines.
- Henry Tricks notes the concept of orbital data centres was almost ignored months ago until Musk publicised it, accelerating industry discussion.
Erratic Persona Paired With Micromanagement
- Musk pairs erratic online behaviour with intense operational control, obsessing over technical details while driving high employee turnover.
- Tricks observes this hands-on style delivers results but may be unsustainable as staff burn out and leave.