{
  "id": 19510444,
  "title": "SpaceX develops its own ‘Kessel’ rack-scale system featuring 72 Nvidia Rubin GPUs for data centers in space, report claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/spacex-develops-its-own-kessel-rack-scale-system-featuring-72-nvidia",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-11T15:03:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/spacex-develops-its-own-kessel-rack-scale-system-featuring-72-nvidia-rubin-gpus-for-data-centers-in-space-report-claims-replaces-conventional-nvlink-cable-assemblies-with-a-massive-84-layer-printed-circuit-board"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SpaceX and xAI are crafting a custom Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72 rack-scale AI system dubbed Kessel, claims SemiAnalysis. The system replaces traditional NVLink cable assemblies with an 84-layer printed circuit board (PCB) interconnect, retaining 36 Vera CPUs, 72 Rubin GPUs, and nine NVLink switch trays. SpaceX will procure certain components from third-party suppliers, potentially gaining greater control over its supply chain. The Kessel design uses a PCB midplane similar to Nvidia's Kyber design, boasting an 84-layer PCB with ultra-low-loss M10 copper-clad laminates, enabling simplified system assembly and independent component procurement. However, the complex midplane could pose manufacturing challenges and increase costs. Kessel diverges from Nvidia's conventional system-level procurement model, as SpaceX could source hardware directly from Nvidia and other vendors, optimizing the system for orbital deployments and potentially reducing costs.",
  "summary": "SpaceX is reportedly developing a 'Kessel' rack-scale system design with 72 Nvidia Rubin GPUs that relies on a massive 84-layer PCB midplane.",
  "key_points": [
    "SpaceX and xAI develop custom Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72 rack-scale AI system called Kessel.",
    "SpaceX may source components directly from Nvidia and other vendors for orbital deployments."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}