- SpaceX and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced a $100 billion investment in Vermilion Parish to build "Starbase Louisiana," a new manufacturing and launch facility for SpaceX's Starship.
- The facility will feature five complexes with two Starship towers each, supporting thousands of launches per year.
- Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for 2029.
- The project is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs over the next decade.
- The site will be central to SpaceX's effort to dramatically increase Starship's flight rate, with plans for more than 30 launches per day by 2030.
- SpaceX President Gwynn Shotwell stated that the existing infrastructure cannot support the anticipated number of Starship launches.
- SpaceX is partnering with state and federal agencies to expand Louisiana's coastal master plan, which includes shoreline protection and wildlife conservation.
SpaceX and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry unveiled plans for a $100 billion investment in a new spaceport, "Starbase Louisiana," located in Vermilion Parish. This facility will feature 10 launch pads and is designed to support thousands of Starship launches annually, significantly boosting SpaceX's operational capacity.17
The site will include five complexes, each with two Starship towers and its own propellant farm, aimed at creating a self-sustaining launch environment. SpaceX President Gwynn Shotwell emphasized the need for this infrastructure, stating, "We're planning to build a self-sustaining with its own propellant production, power generation, deep water shipping capabilities, vehicle processing facilities, and probably an airport."26
The ambitious project aligns with SpaceX's goal of increasing Starship's flight rate, with CEO Elon Musk estimating that the rocket could launch more than 30 times per day by 2030, translating to over 10,000 flights per year. Shotwell noted that the current infrastructure cannot support the anticipated launch cadence, making Starbase Louisiana crucial for future operations.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with the first launch expected in 2029, marking a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make human life interplanetary.3
“The facility will feature five complexes with two Starship towers each, each with its own propellant farm, and is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs over the next decade. SpaceX President Gwynn Shotwell said the project will support coastal resilience through shoreline protection and marsh restoration.”
