In a surprising turn of events, Anthropic and SpaceX have joined forces, leveraging the latter's extensive compute capacity to enhance Anthropic's Claude Code usage limits. This collaboration, announced at Anthropic's Code with Claude developer conference, showcases an intriguing shift in the relationship between these two tech giants.
The Deal and Its Implications
The deal grants Anthropic access to SpaceX's Memphis data center, boosting its compute capacity by over 300 megawatts. This move has immediate benefits for Anthropic's Pro and Max plan subscribers, who now enjoy doubled five-hour window limits and removed peak-hour restrictions for Claude Code. Additionally, API limits for the Opus model have been raised, as outlined in the table below.
Opus Usage Limit Changes
| Date | Change |
| --- | --- |
| May 6, 2026 | Increased API limits |
What makes this deal particularly fascinating is the potential it unlocks for Anthropic's future projects. The company has expressed interest in collaborating with SpaceX to develop 'multiple gigawatts' of orbital compute capacity, a concept that, while unproven, offers a promising solution to the challenges of terrestrial computing power.
A Shift in Musk's Stance
For those familiar with Elon Musk's public comments, this deal might come as a surprise. Musk, the founder of SpaceX, has previously been critical of Anthropic, going as far as to declare on X that 'Anthropic hates Western Civilization.' This statement, made in February, was accompanied by a false tweet shared by Trump administration official Emil Michael, further highlighting the tension between the two entities.
So, what has changed? It seems that the potential benefits of this partnership, particularly in terms of compute power and the exploration of orbital data centers, have outweighed any previous misgivings. This deal not only boosts Anthropic's capabilities but also positions SpaceX as a key player in the development of next-generation AI systems.
The Bigger Picture
This collaboration raises a deeper question about the future of AI development and the role of orbital data centers. As the compute requirements for training and operating advanced AI systems continue to grow, the limitations of terrestrial resources become increasingly apparent. The idea of harnessing the power of space-based computing is an intriguing one, and this deal between Anthropic and SpaceX could be a significant step towards making it a reality.
In my opinion, this partnership is a testament to the innovative thinking and strategic vision of both companies. By leveraging SpaceX's expertise in space technology and Anthropic's AI prowess, they are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. It's an exciting development that could shape the future of AI and, potentially, our civilization as a whole.
