SpaceX plans to build a $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana

SpaceX has announced plans for a $100 billion spaceport, Starbase Louisiana, on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Spanning 125,000 acres (195 square miles) on Pecan Island, the self-sustaining facility will house five launch complexes, each with two pads and a propellant farm. This would make it SpaceX's fourth and largest launch site, capable of supporting thousands of missions annually. Construction is planned to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for 2029.

Located in Louisiana, the spaceport offers access to a wide range of launch trajectories due to the Gulf's vast footprint and proximity to natural gas, which can supply power and the methane used by Starship's Raptor engines. Deep-water access would also facilitate the movement of large spacecraft and hardware via ship.

The ambitious launch rate hinges on SpaceX successfully making Starship rapidly and fully reusable, a goal recently demonstrated with the successful test flight of the redesigned Starship V3 and the recovery of a Super Heavy booster using the launch tower's mechanical arms.

Starbase Louisiana aims to support satellite launches for Starlink, missions to the Moon and Mars, and potentially up to one million satellites for orbital data centers. Louisiana anticipates creating 3,000 direct jobs over ten years, with an average salary of $92,600, plus over 8,100 indirect positions. The state has offered tax rebates and recruitment assistance, while SpaceX has committed to making over $820 million in local payments over 25 years and donating $25 million to a regional community foundation.

Environmental concerns have arisen, particularly regarding the fragile coastal marshland and protected wildlife areas adjacent to the site. Residents and conservation groups fear noise, light, traffic, and construction may harm fisheries, migratory birds, and wetlands that serve as natural hurricane buffers. Some locals also allege they were not adequately informed during negotiations.

While SpaceX assures they will develop only a small part of the property, leave large areas untouched, and collaborate with state agencies to restore eroding marshland, the site still faces federal licensing and environmental reviews before rocket operations can commence. SpaceX plans to hold public town halls in the coming months to address community concerns.