SpaceX has officially bought the artificial intelligence company xAI in a historic deal worth about $1.25 trillion. This big move brings together SpaceX, xAI, the AI chatbot Grok, the social media platform X, and Starlink satellite internet under one roof. The deal was announced on February 2, 2026, and is already changing how people interact with tech online and in space.
To mark the deal, the social media platform X rolled out a playful feature. No,w when you like a post on X that mentions SpaceX, xAI, or even just the letter “X,” the usual heart is followed by a tiny Starship-style rocket that blasts off with orange flame and sparks. It’s a fun and light-hearted nod to the huge merger.
The animation seems simple, but many users on X are talking about it. Some people think the change is cool and epic, while others say it’s a bit cringe or just a silly Easter egg. But either way, it has gotten a lot of attention online, and many users are sharing screenshots and videos of the rocket animation.
The connection between the new rocket-like animation and the SpaceX-xAI deal is clear. SpaceX is famous for building rockets like the Starship, which is designed to take people and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The company has already launched many rockets and satellites, and it runs the Starlink internet network. xAI, on the other hand, builds advanced artificial intelligence and operates the Grok chatbot on X.
When Elon Musk announced the deal, he said bringing space technology and AI together could open up big new possibilities. One idea is to build AI data centers in space, powered by constant sunlight and connected by Starlink satellites. This could help solve the huge power and cooling demands that large AI systems need, something hard to do on Earth.
The deal also folds the X platform into SpaceX’s growing ecosystem. Last year, xAI had already bought X, and now SpaceX has taken over xAI entirely. This means the social media site, AI tools, and rocket technology are all part of the same giant company.
For many people, the new rocket animation on X is a fun way to celebrate this moment. It shows how tech companies can use small surprises to drive engagement and excitement online. Whether you’re a fan of SpaceX’s rockets, interested in AI, or just enjoy fun effects, the feature gives users something playful to talk about.
Some critics have pointed out that the animation is just a gimmick, or that the focus should be on fixing big problems like spam and bugs on the platform. Others see it as a clever way to link the news about the merger with everyday social media use.
Either way, for now, the little Starship rockets popping up on likes have become a signal of a bigger shift in tech—where space, AI, and social media come together in a single, very large company.