OpenAI`s CEO attempted to buy a rocket firm to compete with SpaceX

Sam Altman explored a potential deal to acquire or partner with rocket startup Stoke Space, according to a report detailing efforts that would have placed him in direct competition with SpaceX. The discussions occurred over the summer and included a plan to invest billions of dollars for a controlling stake. People familiar with the talks said the conversations ended without an agreement.

The report noted that tensions between Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk have escalated into public disputes and ongoing legal fights. The interest in Stoke Space emerged as technology leaders debated the future of data centers and computing infrastructure in space.

The Wall Street Journal’s account of the talks surfaced days after OpenAI issued a companywide “code red.” In a memo to staff, Altman said ChatGPT required major improvements in personalization, speed, reliability, and its ability to respond to a wider range of queries. He stated that the company would delay work on other projects, including advertising, health and shopping agents, and a personal assistant called Pulse.

A separate report from the Financial Times said OpenAI’s competitors, including Google and Anthropic, were rapidly advancing with new features and rising user interest. The developments highlighted the pace of competition across the artificial intelligence sector.

Altman’s brief consideration of a move into space technology followed new statements by Musk, who recently described plans for humanoid robots and data centers positioned in low Earth orbit. Jeff Bezos has also emphasized the importance of space-based computing and continues to develop launch capabilities through Blue Origin.

The discussions between Altman and Stoke Space did not progress, and no deal materialized. The episode underscored broader competition among major technology figures as they pursue advances in AI systems and emerging space infrastructure.