# SpaceX develops custom Nvidia rack design for ground and orbital computing

_Published Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 10:58 AM EST · Infrastructure, AI · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Nvidia Vera Rubin, CES 2026 — Primary](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H9AoDYcDEGHaWVoTNcrLHK-2560-80.png)

SpaceX/xAI is developing a custom Nvidia Vera Rubin system that replaces high-speed cable assemblies with an 84-layer circuit board, Tom's Hardware reports, citing SemiAnalysis. Codenamed Kessel, the design retains 36 Vera CPUs, 72 Rubin GPUs and nine NVLink switch trays, and targets terrestrial and orbital data centers.

SpaceX reportedly plans to buy processors, switches and networking components directly from Nvidia while sourcing other components independently. That would give it more control over suppliers and manufacturing partners. The complex circuit board could simplify assembly, but its cost and manufacturing yields could offset savings from eliminating cables.

## Sources

- [Tom's Hardware](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)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/fo5NxI25LBusMK16-GabaV
Published: 2026-11-11T15:58:30.350Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-11T15:03:08.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-12T01:03:10.036Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)