SpaceX to build $100 billion rocket launch facility in southern Louisiana

SpaceX has announced plans to build a $100 billion rocket launch complex in southern Louisiana, its largest yet. The 125,000-acre site, named Starbase Louisiana, will be located on Pecan Island and is expected to support thousands of Starship launches annually. According to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, the site will launch Starship flights to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The facility will include its own methane production for propellant, power generation, deep-water shipping capabilities, vehicle processing facilities, and possibly an airport. Construction is set to begin next year, with the first Starship launch from the site planned for 2029. The project is expected to create over 3,000 jobs in the region, with an average wage 192% higher than the current regional average, and over 8,100 indirect jobs.

The Louisiana Economic Development agency described the project as a "transformational moment" for the state, establishing Louisiana as a global hub for next-generation aerospace. The site's location provides access to abundant natural gas and the ability to launch to a wide range of trajectories. According to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, the deal is a big win for the state and country, likening its impact to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Free Malaysia Today, MyJoyOnline Ghana, Associated Press — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.