SpaceX plans a roughly $100 billion Starship launch site in southern Louisiana.
Why it matters: The project would be SpaceX's largest facility and another major step in its Starship buildout. It could reshape aerospace competition, regional development and labor demand in Louisiana.
- SpaceX announced the project Aug. 25, 2026, calling it its fourth and largest spaceport.
- The company wants construction to begin in 2027 and an initial launch from the site in 2029.
- Louisiana officials said the site will be in Vermilion Parish on the state's coast.
- Axios reported the planned site spans about 125,000 acres and could support thousands of launches a year over time.
SpaceX said it plans to build a new Starship launch site in southern Louisiana as part of a roughly $100 billion project, according to a state announcement from Louisiana Economic Development. The company and state officials described it as SpaceX's fourth launch site and its largest yet, with construction targeted to start in 2027 and an initial launch in 2029. Louisiana Economic Development
AP reported that SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell attended the announcement event, and said the site is meant to support Starship ramp-up. Reuters said the deal was announced with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and that SpaceX aims to begin construction next year. AP News Reuters
Louisiana officials said the site will be in Vermilion Parish, on the state's coast, and framed it as a major economic-development win. Landry said, "This announcement pushes our state beyond $250 billion in new investment and puts us at the center of the next great frontier." State release
Axios reported the site spans about 125,000 acres and that SpaceX is thinking long term about thousands of launches per year. The Louisiana project adds to SpaceX's existing Starship footprint in South Texas and launch infrastructure work in Florida. Axios
By the numbers
- $100 billion - Rough size of the planned Louisiana project.
- 2027 - Target start for construction.
- 2029 - Target for the first launch from the site.
Yes, but: The financing structure, permitting timeline and environmental review status were not clear in the available reporting.
What's next: SpaceX says it wants to start construction in 2027 and launch from the site in 2029.