SpaceX plans to build the ‘biggest launch site on Earth’ for $100 billion in Louisiana

SpaceX has officially announced plans to construct "Starbase Louisiana," a massive new $100 billion launch facility in Vermilion Parish. This project, confirmed by SpaceX and Louisiana state officials on August 25, 2026, will be the company's fourth and largest launch site, spanning 125,000 acres. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, indicated that this will become the "biggest launch site on Earth," designed to accommodate thousands of Starship flights annually, potentially reaching over 30 launches per day with more than a dozen launch towers.

Construction on the new spaceport is slated to commence in 2027, with the inaugural launch targeted for as early as 2029. The facility is planned to be self-sustaining, incorporating propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping, and vehicle processing capabilities. Louisiana officials, including Governor Jeff Landry, lauded the project as a significant economic boon for the state, anticipating the creation of at least 3,000 direct jobs.

The decision to locate in Vermilion Parish offers strategic advantages for launching rockets over the Gulf of Mexico, which is essential for deploying Starlink satellites into polar orbits. However, environmental groups, such as the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, have voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of such a large-scale industrial complex on the state's vulnerable coastline. SpaceX has stated its commitment to working with state and federal agencies on shoreline restoration and protection efforts as part of the project.