SpaceX Unveils $100 Billion Louisiana Spaceport Plan, First Starship Launch Targeted for 2029
SpaceX has unveiled plans to build a massive $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana, aiming to transform the state into one of the world’s busiest hubs for orbital launches. The company plans to construct the facility near the southern coast of Louisiana’s Vermilion Parish, with construction expected to begin by the end of next year and the first launch targeted as early as 2029.
The new facility will be called “Starbase, Louisiana,” borrowing the name of SpaceX’s existing Starship development and testing site in South Texas. Unlike the Texas facility, the Louisiana site is expected to handle operational Starship missions once the giant rocket is capable of safely delivering cargo into orbit.
SpaceX plans to make Starship rapidly reusable by recovering and relaunching its components after every mission. The company also intends to recover the spacecraft’s upper stage, a capability it has not yet demonstrated. The Louisiana facility would therefore include numerous launch and recovery towers standing hundreds of feet tall.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the Louisiana site could eventually feature more than a dozen launch towers, with the capacity for more than 30 Starship flights per day. Such a launch rate would make it potentially the largest and busiest space launch facility on Earth.
SpaceX Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell described the planned complex as a self-sustaining spaceport. It is expected to include its own propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping facilities, vehicle processing infrastructure and potentially an airport.
The project has been under discussion between SpaceX and Louisiana officials for months. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the development as an opportunity for permanent economic growth and long-term prosperity for the state.
However, the ambitious project still faces major challenges. Starship is not yet operational, and SpaceX will need extensive additional testing before regular commercial flights can begin. The company is expected to conduct another major Starship test flight in the coming months as it works toward demonstrating orbital capabilities and reliable recovery.
The proposed Louisiana spaceport will also undergo extensive environmental and regulatory reviews, covering wetlands, natural resources and launch-related requirements. SpaceX has said it intends to leave large sections of the 125,000-acre site untouched to preserve valuable wetlands and natural habitats.
The announcement comes as SpaceX increasingly prepares to shift major launch operations toward Starship. The company has indicated that Starship will eventually take over many missions currently handled by its highly successful Falcon 9 rocket.
