SpaceX will build a second, $100B 'Starbase' spaceport in Louisiana

SpaceX says it will build a second Starbase spaceport—another $100 billion site for future Starship launches—on a former Exxon property in Louisiana. The location is in Vermilion Parish along the Gulf Coast, west of New Orleans and about 10 hours from the company’s existing Starbase complex in South Texas. SpaceX plans construction to start in 2027 and claims the first Starship launch from Louisiana would occur in 2029. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) expects construction to begin by the end of 2027 and “initial operations” in 2030. Before any launch from Louisiana, SpaceX is still working to fly Starship into low-Earth orbit and prove reuse. The company has completed 13 Starship test flights since 2023, with a 14th planned. LED projects 3,000 direct jobs over 10 years, plus more than 30,000 construction roles at peak buildout.