Kam Ghaffarian, the visionary entrepreneur behind companies such as Axiom Space and X-Energy, envisions a future where artificial intelligence’s insatiable demand for electricity fundamentally changes humanity’s existence beyond Earth. He argues that the current trajectory of innovation, particularly the convergence of advanced computing and space technology, is propelling us into an era of unprecedented space expansion that relies heavily on scalable and clean energy solutions.
Ghaffarian, founder of IBX and leader of a portfolio of pioneering space and energy companies, recently sat down with CNBC to discuss the pivotal moment we are facing when it comes to nuclear power, AI, and the burgeoning space technology race. The conversation highlighted the exponential growth of the space economy and the transformative potential of technologies that will enable humanity to live, work, and innovate beyond our home planet.
Ghaffarian points out that the space economy is at a “tipping point” and is rapidly accelerating with the involvement of the commercial and private sectors. He emphasizes that technologies such as AI, quantum computing and robotics are not just ancillary, but a key element in further expanding this growth. This convergence of technological advances is creating a dynamic environment where traditional boundaries between industries are dissolving, paving the way for entirely new paradigms of commerce and exploration.
Ghaffarian’s pioneering venture, Axiom Space, is already building a commercial space station, with its first module scheduled for early 2027. The initiative aims to establish a fully operational commercial outpost in orbit before the International Space Station’s scheduled retirement and marks a pivotal shift toward private sector dominance in human spaceflight.
The demand for access to space is undeniable, as Axiom Space’s mission, which has already transported civilian and government astronauts from 11 countries, is over capacity. Advances like Starship and New Glenn are lowering the cost of space access and opening the door for more countries and commercial entities to participate. Ghaffarian emphasizes that this expanded access is not just about tourism, but about unlocking “hidden gems”: new economic ecosystems in low Earth orbit and beyond.
This new space economy presents a compelling business case rooted in the unique conditions of microgravity. “There are things you can do in low Earth orbit or in space that you can’t do on Earth because there’s no gravity,” Ghaffarian explains. These include the development of orbital data centers, advanced semiconductors, breakthrough medicines, and even the bioprinting of complex organs such as corneas, retinas, and potentially complete hearts. Such capabilities promise to revolutionize industry and address the critical challenges facing humanity on the planet.
Looking further ahead, Ghaffarian envisions the Moon and Mars as essential “stepping stones” for humanity’s expansion into space, driven by both economic opportunity and national security imperatives. He spoke of “Space Race 2.0” with China and emphasized the need for the United States to maintain leadership. His ambitious predictions include hourly launches to orbiting space cities and daily launches to lunar habitats by 2050, eventually turning humans into an interplanetary species.
Central to realizing this grand vision is the development and deployment of advanced nuclear power. Through X-Energy, Ghaffarian is a world leader in small modular reactors (SMRs), which are critical to providing the massive power needed for space habitation, manufacturing, and the burgeoning field of AI. He sternly warns, “If we don’t have the power necessary for AI, we will lose to the Chinese in the AI race.” X-Energy has already signed significant contracts with Amazon AWS for up to 10 gigawatts of power and is building its first commercial plant for Dow Chemical in Texas, marking tangible progress in this important area.
Applications of nuclear technology in space are diverse and essential. Nuclear fission for terrestrial power generation on the moon, nuclear electric propulsion for space stations, and nuclear thermal propulsion to greatly reduce travel times to other planets and ultimately to interstellar destinations. Ghaffarian believes this will require new engineering, science and physics, and will inspire future generations to unlock the full potential of the universe. The universe is incredibly vast, and to truly understand ourselves we must become an interstellar race.
