Anthropic expands Claude Code capacity following compute deal with SpaceX
Rate limits for Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans are doubled as the partnership paves the way for future orbital AI infrastructure.
Anthropic has announced a significant expansion of its computing capabilities following a new agreement with SpaceX. The deal grants the artificial intelligence firm access to the full compute capacity of SpaceX's Colossus 1 data centre, a move expected to add more than 300 megawatts of new power within the month. This infrastructure boost comes as both companies have expressed a shared interest in collaborating to develop multiple gigawatts of orbital AI compute capacity in the future.
The immediate impact of the arrangement is a relaxation of restrictions for paid users of Claude Code. Customers on Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans will see their five-hour rate limits doubled. Furthermore, the removal of peak hours restrictions for Pro and Max users, alongside considerably increased API rate limits for Claude Opus models, aims to provide greater flexibility for developers and institutions relying on the platform.
This strategic partnership arrives shortly after Anthropic secured similar compute deals with Amazon and Google. The expansion of Colossus 1 represents a major step in scaling the hardware necessary to support advanced AI models, aligning with SpaceX's broader plans to launch a million satellites to create an orbital data centre, as indicated by recent filings with the FCC.
Despite the technical alignment, the collaboration follows a period of public tension between the two entities. Elon Musk, who owns xAI and recently acquired it, has previously labelled Anthropic "misanthropic and evil" and been critical of its leadership. However, recent statements from Musk suggest a shift in tone, noting that he was impressed by the team and that Claude will probably be good.
Musk has clarified that while he supports the partnership, he reserves the right to reclaim the compute should the AI engage in actions that harm humanity. This conditional stance underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding artificial intelligence development and the complex relationships between major technology players. As the industry moves toward massive infrastructure projects, the dynamics between these institutions will continue to shape the landscape of AI deployment.
