A New Frontier in the Gulf
SpaceX has officially confirmed its most ambitious infrastructure project to date: a $100 billion spaceport located in the marshlands of Pecan Island, Louisiana. Announced on August 25, 2026, the site, dubbed 'Starbase Louisiana,' is set to become the company’s fourth and largest launch facility, playing a pivotal role in the future of the Starship program.
Scaling to Thousands of Launches
Unlike the company's existing sites, Starbase Louisiana is being designed from the ground up to support a high-cadence flight schedule. SpaceX intends to reach a level of activity involving thousands of Starship launches per year. To achieve this, the facility will feature:
- Ten total launch pads across five distinct complexes.
- On-site propellant production and power generation facilities.
- Deep-water shipping capabilities to support heavy logistics.
- Dedicated vehicle processing facilities and on-site residential housing for staff.
This site is a one-of-a-kind chance to both fly the world's most advanced and powerful rocket, while strengthening Louisiana's coastal resilience and wildlife.
— Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President
The Timeline and Local Impact
Construction at the 125,000-acre site is slated to begin in 2027, with the company targeting the first Starship launch from Louisiana as early as 2029. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has championed the project as a major economic engine for the state, noting its potential to create thousands of jobs. While SpaceX expects to hire approximately 3,000 people initially, President Gwynne Shotwell indicated the long-term headcount could grow to 10,000, with a focus on local recruitment.