SpaceX is preparing to build its largest rocket launch site yet, a massive $100 billion project in Louisiana that could transform the region into a major hub for space travel and bring thousands of high-paying jobs.
The new facility, named Starbase Louisiana, will cover 125,000 acres (50,585 hectares). Construction is scheduled to begin next year, expanding the company's launch capabilities beyond its main operations in Texas and Florida. SpaceX aims to launch its first Starship flight from the new site in 2029.
Once complete, the site will support thousands of Starship flights every year. These missions will carry payloads and explorers into Earth orbit, to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond. The announcement comes shortly after SpaceX made history in June with the world's largest stock market debut on the Nasdaq.
For local residents, the economic impact could be life-changing. Louisiana officials report that the base will directly create over 3,000 jobs, with average worker salaries predicted to be 192% higher than the current regional average. The state estimates an additional 8,100 indirect jobs will also be created.
The new site shares its name with SpaceX's existing facility in southern Texas, where residents voted to officially name their town Starbase in 2025. With this massive investment, Louisiana aims to become a leading global center for next-generation space exploration.