SpaceX plans to build 'Starpipe' natural gas pipeline to fuel Starship rockets

SpaceX plans to begin next month building an eight-mile natural gas pipeline called “Starpipe” to supply fuel for its Starship rocket at its Texas launch facilities, according to county filings. The pipeline is expected to be operational by Jan. 26, following a document filed last month with the Texas Railroad Commission by SpaceX affiliate Lone Star Mineral Development. “Starpipe” will run to SpaceX’s Starbase company town. The effort supports Elon Musk’s push to accelerate Starship development and increase launch cadence, with the 40-story, fully reusable rocket using about 630,000 gallons of liquid methane per launch. Starship has completed 12 test flights since 2023. Reuters notes that while it is unusual for a space company to build its own gas pipeline, Starpipe could serve as an initial step. The plan may include a liquefaction facility at Starbase to process piped-in gas into liquid methane.