SpaceX Starbase Louisiana: $100 Billion Launch Site Planned in Pecan Island

SpaceX has announced plans to build a new $100 billion SpaceX Starbase Louisiana launch site on the state's southern coast, giving the company a third potential location to launch its Starship rocket, according to Engadget. SpaceX executives and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry revealed that Elon Musk's company will be authorized to build a 125,000-acre (195 square mile) facility in an area called Pecan Island.

"We're preparing to build a spaceport that, until now, has only existed in science fiction," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said. "SpaceX was founded to bring about a future where humans are out exploring amongst the stars, which will only be possible when we make going to space as routine as flying on an airplane. Starbase, Louisiana will unlock that future."

The SpaceX Louisiana launch site will include five launch complexes, each with two launch pads, as detailed in a new video released by the company. According to a press release from the state of Louisiana, the development will also include a propellant production facility, power generation infrastructure, vehicle processing facilities and residential housing for employees and their families.

SpaceX plans to use the facility as part of its broader effort to deploy data center satellites, with the SpaceX Starbase launch site allowing rockets to launch southward toward the polar regions, positioning its "Starmind" data center satellites into orbit. The location also gives SpaceX close proximity to natural gas supplies needed to produce methane-based fuel for the Starship rocket.

The announcement follows SpaceX's recent public offering. The company has also announced plans to build a "Terafab" chip foundry in Texas that will supply AI processors to its SpaceXAI division, chips that form another component of Musk's plans for orbiting AI data centers.

Exxon Mobil, the previous owner of the Pecan Island site, returned the land to the state as part of a settlement over lawsuits accusing the company of coastal land loss. As part of its agreement with Louisiana, SpaceX has pledged to work with the state on marshland preservation, wildlife preservation and storm protection efforts in the area.

Production on the SpaceX $100 billion launch site is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first launch planned for 2029, according to Engadget's report. The SpaceX Louisiana 2029 launch timeline positions the facility as part of the company's expanding infrastructure supporting both Starship missions and Musk's broader satellite and AI ambitions.

Further information on SpaceX Starship Louisiana plans and the company's launch programs is available via SpaceX's official website.

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