SpaceX has announced plans to spend $100 billion to build a 125,000-acre launch complex in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. The agreement was announced on Tuesday by the company and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, with Elon Musk stating that the facility will become the largest launch site on Earth.
The coastal land, located roughly 50 miles south of Lafayette, is slated to feature five launch pads initially, alongside a mission-control center, office buildings, power plants, a propellant factory, worker housing, deep-water shipping access, and an airport. Musk shared via X that the site, referred to as Starbase Louisiana, will eventually house more than a dozen launch towers and support over 30 Starship flights per day.
Groundwork for the project is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first Starship launch expected in 2029. SpaceX aims to launch thousands of times annually from the location. While SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell initially estimated the project would create about 3,000 jobs, she later indicated the figure could reach closer to 10,000 positions, with 60 to 80% expected to be filled by local residents.
Governor Landry described the development as a pivotal moment for the state, helping shift Louisiana away from its traditional reliance on oil and gas extraction. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois noted that the agreement followed months of confidential discussions initiated in February. To facilitate the project, Louisiana lawmakers recently approved tax breaks for rocket companies and passed legislation providing legal protections regarding environmental concerns, noise, and property value lawsuits. A federal judge's dismissal of a separate case involving ExxonMobil also freed up approximately 130,000 acres in Vermilion Parish for land acquisition.
Environmental organizations, including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation, and Pontchartrain Conservancy, have asked the Federal Aviation Administration to reconsider pausing environmental reviews. In response, SpaceX has stated it will assist in protecting and restoring coastal wetlands, collaborate with conservation agencies, and keep a portion of Pecan Island undeveloped.
