SpaceX, the rocket company founded by Elon Musk, has announced plans to construct its largest launch facility to date in Louisiana. The project, designated Starbase, represents a significant expansion of the company's operations, which are currently centered at its Texas headquarters and include facilities in Florida.
Construction is slated to begin next year on the 125,000-acre site. SpaceX stated that Starbase will be utilized to support thousands of Starship flights each year, with missions intended for Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The company aims to conduct its first Starship flight from the new Louisiana base in 2029.
This development is anticipated to bring more than 3,000 jobs to the region. According to the Louisiana Economic Development agency, the average wage for workers at the Starbase facility is projected to be 192% higher than the current average salary in the area. The overall investment for the project is valued at $100 billion.
Mention of the project comes as SpaceX continues to advance its Starship program, a fully reusable spacecraft designed for interplanetary travel. The company has previously conducted test flights from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
![Starship 40 and Booster 20 launch from SpaceX's facility in Cameron County, Texas, on 24 July, 2026, for what the company called ''Flight 13.'']( "Starship 40 and Booster 20 launch from SpaceX's facility in Cameron County, Texas, on 24 July, 2026, for what the company called ''Flight 13.''')