SpaceX and Louisiana officials announced Tuesday a $100 billion investment to build Starbase Louisiana in Vermilion Parish, a sprawling facility that would serve as the company's largest center for Starship operations.
What Happened
The announcement outlined plans for five complexes, each with two Starship towers totaling 10 launch pads across the site. Each pad would have its own propellant farm, with fuel produced onsite alongside power generation, deep water shipping capabilities, vehicle processing facilities and an airport. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with first launch targeted for 2029. The project could create 3,000 direct jobs.
Why It Matters
SpaceX President Gwynn Shotwell said existing infrastructure cannot support the anticipated Starship launch cadence. The company has said reaching NASA's Artemis III lunar landing mission, currently scheduled for mid-2027, requires maturing Starship from test article to crew-certified lander. SpaceX founder Elon Musk has estimated Starship could be launching more than 30 times per day by 2030, which would require infrastructure far beyond what current facilities provide.
The Bottom Line
Starbase Louisiana represents a significant expansion of SpaceX's Starship manufacturing and launch capabilities if the project proceeds as outlined. The site would support NASA's Artemis timeline while enabling higher launch rates for Starlink satellites and other missions.