SpaceX to construct $100 billion Starbase launch facility in Louisiana
The 195 square mile site in Pecan Island will feature five launch complexes to support thousands of Starship flights annually, utilising local natural gas for fuel production.
SpaceX has announced plans to construct a $100 billion "Starbase" launch facility on the southern coast of Louisiana, marking the company's third potential location for launching its Starship rocket. The development is situated on a 125,000-acre (195 square mile) site in Pecan Island and will feature five launch complexes, each equipped with two launch pads. The facility is designed to support thousands of Starship flights annually, with missions targeting Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Elon Musk, the company's chief executive, stated that the project aims to make space travel as routine as flying on an airplane. "We're preparing to build a spaceport that, until now, has only existed in science fiction," Musk said. The announcement was made jointly by SpaceX executives and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who authorised the construction of the massive facility.
The site will enable southward launches toward polar regions, allowing SpaceX to position its "Starmind" data centre satellites in optimal orbits. This capability is a key component of the company's strategy to deploy orbiting AI data centres. Additionally, the location provides close proximity to local natural gas reserves, which SpaceX will utilise to produce the methane-based rocket fuel required for Starship.
Beyond the launch infrastructure, the development includes a propellant production facility, power generation, vehicle processing, and residential housing for employees and their families. The Pecan Island site was previously owned by Exxon Mobile, which returned the land to the state as part of a settlement over lawsuits alleging coastal land loss. SpaceX has pledged to work with the state on extensive restoration efforts, including marshland preservation, wildlife protection, and storm defence.
The announcement follows SpaceX's recent public offering and plans to build a "Terafab" chip foundry in Texas. That facility is intended to supply AI processors to the company's SpaceXAI division, further integrating hardware and orbital infrastructure in Musk's broader vision. Production at the Louisiana site is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for 2029.
