Musk’s SpaceX to build $100bn launch facility in Louisiana

Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, has announced plans to build its largest launch facility yet, dubbed Starbase Louisiana, in the southern US state. The $100 billion project is set to commence next year and will span 125,000 acres, expanding the company's operations beyond its current bases in Texas and Florida. The facility will support thousands of Starship flights annually, targeting missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

SpaceX aims to launch its first Starship from the new Louisiana base in 2029, generating over 3,000 jobs within the region. The average wage for workers at the site will be 192% higher than the current regional average, with the base also creating more than 8,100 indirect jobs. The Louisiana Economic Development agency highlights that the historic project will cement Louisiana as a global hub for next-generation aerospace, boasting the capacity and infrastructure required to significantly boost launch frequency and enhance access to space.

The site, named after another SpaceX location in Texas, was approved as a city, Starbase, by residents in Cameron County in 2025. SpaceX, now a newly-listed company, faces pressure to prove profitability amidst expansion, with its shares plummeting more than 30% since its debut but still trading above the $135 offer price.