SpaceX has officially announced plans for its massive $100 billion Starbase Louisiana development on 125,000 acres of coastal property just south of Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana.
The property, formerly associated with Exxon, will become SpaceX’s fourth and largest launch site, designed specifically to increase the launch frequency of the company’s fully reusable Starship rocket system to eventually support thousands of launches annually.
Aerial photos of the 125,000 acre future SpaceX property: photos by Developing Lafayette
While the overall property consists of approximately 125,000 acres, the entire area will not be developed. In fact, much of the surrounding property will provide the space needed to operate the large-scale launch facility while also protecting and restoring portions of the surrounding coastal marsh, according to SpaceX.
Once fully constructed, plans call for five launch complexes with two launch pads and a propellant farm at each, totaling 10 launch pads. The self-sustaining spaceport will also include propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping capabilities, vehicle processing facilities, employee housing, and potentially its own airport, according to SpaceX.
Rendering of Starbase Louisiana: photo courtesy of SpaceX
The facility will support future Starship missions ranging from launching next-generation Starlink satellites and orbital computing infrastructure to NASA Moon missions and SpaceX’s longer-term plans for Mars.
The project is expected to create at least 3,000 permanent jobs over the next 10 years with an average annual salary of $92,600. Louisiana Economic Development estimates another 8,100+ indirect jobs could be created throughout Acadiana. SpaceX President & COO Gwynne Shotwell also noted that based on the company’s experience in Texas, the permanent workforce could eventually grow beyond 3,000.
The jobs offered at SpaceX will include more than engineers and scientists, with SpaceX specifically mentioning technicians, welders, builders, operations personnel, restaurant workers, and other positions needed to operate what Shotwell described as essentially a small city. And according to SpaceX, the workforce is expected to be anywhere from 60%-80% Louisiana locals.
FYI, if you happen to be one of the lucky employees or personnel involved in the construction and operation of SpaceX’s Starbase Louisiana, beware of the monster horse flies and deer flies!
Starship Launch: photo courtesy of SpaceX
When it comes to the ecological impact, one of the first visible construction components of the project will actually involve Louisiana’s coast. SpaceX officials said some of the first work on the property will involve gaining access for equipment to begin restoring wetlands and stopping shoreline erosion.
SpaceX says construction of the facility will require shoreline stabilization, wetland restoration, improved site access, and storm protection. The company is working with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and other agencies to protect wildlife, fisheries, marsh habitat, and surrounding natural resources while minimizing and mitigating impacts from development.
Future Starbase Louisiana site: Photo by Developing Lafayette
The project also follows several aerospace-related measures passed during Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session. Among them is Act 190, which created state and local sales and use tax rebates for qualifying aerospace facilities that meet significant investment and job-creation requirements.
According to LED, SpaceX will invest $100 billion into the Vermilion Parish project, along with providing more than $820 million in expected direct local payments through its PILOT agreement and a $25 million contribution to the Community Foundation of Acadiana.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first Starship launch from Louisiana targeted for 2029.
