N環球 
SpaceX-Tesla Chip Venture Terafab Sets Timeline: Volume Production Targeted for Q3 2028
Elon Musk disclosed on SpaceX's Oct. 20 earnings call that Terafab aims for a first functional test chip in mid-2027 and volume production in Q3 2028, with a long-term goal of 1 terawatt of annual AI computing capacity. He warned the schedule remains highly aggressive.
Why it matters
AI chip supply remains tight, and tech giants are moving toward vertical integration -- designing and making their own silicon. Terafab is Musk's bid to control that lifeline himself: if it succeeds, Tesla's humanoid robots, self-driving cars and SpaceX's Starlink satellites all get in-house capacity. If it slips, it will be another reminder that making chips is harder than making rockets.
Full report
On SpaceX's October 20 earnings call, Elon Musk gave two concrete but provisional milestones for Terafab, the chip-manufacturing joint venture between SpaceX and Tesla: the Austin research fab aims to produce a first functional SRAM test chip in May or June 2027 -- a step toward qualifying the fabrication process, not a commercial AI processor launch -- while the main operation in Grimes County, Texas, targets the start of volume manufacturing in the third quarter of 2028, with Q4 2028 also in the possible range.
The long-term ambition is 1 terawatt of annual computing capacity for AI and robotics. Musk cautioned the timeline remains highly aggressive, citing equipment availability -- especially advanced lithography systems -- facility readiness and acceptable wafer yields as critical challenges. Earlier this month he had mentioned discussions about potential cooperation with TSMC, then clarified that Terafab remains committed to running the facility itself.
A caveat: these are planning objectives, not demonstrated chip performance or output. Musk has a history of missing ambitious timelines, and the industry will be watching the mid-2027 test chip to see whether Terafab can clear the hardest first hurdle of semiconductor manufacturing.
💬 Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!