Starbase Louisiana: SpaceX Unveils New Spaceport

SpaceX on Aug. 25, 2026 announced plans to build Starbase Louisiana, a Gulf-Coast Starship launch complex the company said will become a self-sustaining spaceport designed to enable high-frequency flights and reshape regional economic activity.

Scale and Site

SpaceX identified a coastal marsh parcel in Vermilion Parish near Pecan Island, southwest of Lafayette along the Gulf of Mexico, as the project location. The site covers roughly 125,000 to 130,000 acres and consists of former Exxon property transferred through arrangements with the state.

The company and Louisiana officials described the project as a roughly $100 billion capital investment, the largest in state history. They unveiled the plan at a public event in Abbeville attended by Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development leadership. SpaceX also posted an announcement on a social platform at 12:13 p.m. ET linking to project details.

Design, Capacity, and Local Terms

SpaceX and state materials describe the site as a self-sustaining spaceport featuring on-site propellant production, power generation, deep-water marine docks, vehicle-processing facilities, an airport, and residential housing for employees.

Officials say the site is designed to support thousands of Starship flights annually, positioning it as a high-cadence launch site. Elon Musk later posted on social media at 12:47 p.m. ET that the plan envisions more than a dozen launch towers enabling over 30 Starship flights per day, with multiple complexes featuring dual pads and propellant farms to handle heavy industrial and logistics needs.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with initial operations and a first launch targeted around 2029 to 2030. State forecasts estimate about 3,000 direct jobs over 10 years with an average annual salary near $92,600, more than 8,100 indirect jobs in supporting industries, and peak construction employment exceeding 30,000. SpaceX leaders have suggested longer-term employment could approach 10,000 positions. SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said at Starbase, Texas, roughly 60% to 80% of new hires have been local residents, a pattern the company expects to replicate.

The local package includes Vermilion Parish payments of $25 million annually for 25 years with an escalator, plus a $20 million upfront payment, totaling more than $820 million over the term. The deal also includes a $25 million charitable donation to the Community Foundation of Acadiana and 50% discounts on monthly Starlink service plans for parish residents without upfront hardware costs. The project will participate in state incentive programs such as the Aerospace Facilities and Activities Rebate and the High Impact Jobs program, tied to performance metrics.

Local reaction has been mixed. Residents and community groups raised concerns about marshland and coastal ecosystem disruption, as well as noise, light, and traffic impacts on traditional activities like duck hunting and fishing. State officials and SpaceX cited commitments to historic coastal restoration and storm-protection measures around the facility.

SpaceX positions the project as a primary Starship launch hub to supplement operations in Texas and Florida. Company officials say it would become SpaceX’s fourth and largest launch site, expanding Gulf Coast launch capacity. If realized on the company’s stated scale and schedule, the buildout would significantly increase high-cadence launch capability and create sustained multiyear demand for launch manufacturing, marine and logistics contractors, and regional infrastructure investment.

Following the announcement, state agencies and SpaceX will begin site preparation, environmental baseline surveys, and regulatory permitting processes required for coastal infrastructure and launch operations.