SpaceX Plans $100 Billion Starbase Spaceport in Louisiana

SpaceX is building a second Starbase spaceport in Louisiana as it expands infrastructure for future Starship launches. The company announced plans for the facility at a former Exxon property in Vermilion Parish along the Gulf Coast, ending a yearslong search for a new launch location.

The project, which SpaceX says will include a $100 billion investment, is expected to begin construction in 2027. The announcement was also confirmed by Louisiana Economic Development, which said initial operations are expected to begin in 2030.

SpaceX said the Louisiana Starbase facility is planned as a self-sustaining spaceport with capabilities including propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping, vehicle processing facilities and an airport. The company has published additional details about the planned location on its official Starbase Louisiana site.

Starship Development Remains a Key Challenge

The new spaceport will support SpaceX’s long-term plans for Starship, the company’s next-generation rocket designed for heavy payload missions and rapid reuse. However, SpaceX still needs to demonstrate full reusability before Starship can replace its existing launch systems.

SpaceX has conducted multiple Starship test flights since 2023. Still, the company has not yet completed a mission where both the booster and upper stage return successfully to the launch site and are prepared for rapid turnaround.

Starship is also central to SpaceX’s plans for expanding its Starlink satellite network. CEO Elon Musk has said the company intends to retire the Falcon rockets once Starship enters regular flight operations. Musk discussed the company’s future Starship plans in a public statement shared on X.

Bloomberg previously reported that SpaceX had started informing some customers about a future transition away from Falcon launches as the company increases its focus on Starship development.

Louisiana Project Expected to Create Thousands of Jobs

Louisiana Economic Development said the SpaceX facility is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs over 10 years, with average annual salaries of about $92,600. The construction phase could generate more than 30,000 jobs at its peak.

Vermilion Parish officials welcomed the project, saying it could create long-term employment opportunities and bring additional aerospace activity to the region.

“We are very excited to be in this position to receive one of the best opportunities of a lifetime which will bring not only a variety of jobs to our Parish but will offer opportunities to our grandchildren allowing them to stay home for employment,” Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Chad Vallo said.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

SpaceX said it is working with Louisiana state and federal agencies to address possible impacts on wildlife, fisheries and coastal habitats. The company also said it plans to support coastal protection projects aimed at reducing shoreline erosion.

The company’s existing Starbase facility in Texas has faced scrutiny over workplace safety and environmental concerns. Reports have documented safety issues at the site, including the death of a construction worker employed by a contractor, as covered by The Texas Observer.

SpaceX’s Louisiana expansion will move forward as the company continues working to make Starship a fully reusable launch system capable of supporting frequent missions.