SpaceX has announced plans to construct a second “Starbase” spaceport in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, concluding a seven-year search for a suitable location. The new facility, situated along the Gulf Coast approximately 10 hours from SpaceX’s existing Starbase in South Texas, will receive an investment of $100 billion, with construction slated to commence in 2027. SpaceX projects the first Starship launch from this site in 2029, although Louisiana Economic Development (LED) offers a slightly more cautious timeline, anticipating initial operations by 2030.
The Louisiana spaceport is expected to generate 3,000 direct jobs over a decade, with an average annual salary of $92,600, and will create over 30,000 construction jobs at its peak. SpaceX aims to develop a “self-sustaining spaceport” featuring propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping capabilities, vehicle processing facilities, and an airport. The company has already engaged with state and federal agencies to address potential environmental impacts and contribute to coastal protection and restoration projects in the region.