- SpaceX plans to invest $100 billion to build its fourth and largest launch facility
- The Louisiana facility will feature five launch complexes with 10 launch pads and propellant farms
- The site will support future Starship missions, with the first launch targeted for 2029
SpaceX will invest $100 billion to build a large-scale launch facility in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, with the site expected to support thousands of launches each year, according to a news release published Tuesday by Louisiana Economic Development.
SpaceX Founder and CEO Elon Musk, a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, said the company was founded to help humans explore space and that the Louisiana site will help make spaceflight as routine as air travel.
What Will SpaceX’s Louisiana Spaceport Include?
Vermilion Parish will be SpaceX’s fourth launch site, intended to support future Starship operations. SpaceX is also developing Starship for NASA’s Artemis program under a $2.89 billion human landing system contract awarded in 2021.
The Louisiana facility will be the company’s largest site with five launch complexes, each equipped with two launch pads and a propellant farm. It will also support propellant production, power generation and vehicle processing. The company will provide housing for its workforce and their families onsite. Ground is expected to break in 2027, with a first launch targeted for 2029.
The planned facility would expand SpaceX’s existing launch infrastructure as the company takes on additional national security launch missions for the U.S. Space Force. In July, the Space Force awarded SpaceX $1.6 billion in task orders covering 18 Falcon 9 launches under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program.
The site was previously owned by Exxon, and SpaceX has coordinated with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority on potential impacts on the surrounding habitat.
What Economic Impact Is Expected?
Louisiana Economic Development projects the facility will generate 3,000 direct jobs, 8,100 indirect jobs and an average direct-role salary of $92,600 over the next decade. Governor Jeff Landry credited the deal with pushing the state’s cumulative new investment past $250 billion.
To secure the commitment, Louisiana structured an incentives package around LED FastStart recruitment assistance, participation in the High Impact Jobs program and the Aerospace Facilities and Activities Rebate established under Act 190 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, along with a mandated $25 million donation to the Community Foundation of Acadiana.
SpaceX joined Source Louisiana, the state’s online database that links Louisiana businesses to contracting and vendor opportunities tied to major development projects.
