SpaceX is expanding its Starship launch operations with plans to build a new Starship spaceport in southern Louisiana, the company announced Tuesday in a deal with the state government. Construction is expected to begin next year.

The facility, which SpaceX plans to call Starbase, Louisiana, will become the company’s fourth Starship spaceport and will expand operations beyond its existing facility in southern Texas.

Designed for Thousands of Flights

SpaceX said the new facility is being designed to support thousands of Starship flights each year, reflecting the company's ambitious plans to significantly increase the launch frequency of its reusable spacecraft.

The Louisiana spaceport is expected to include infrastructure needed to support a high-volume launch operation.

Self-Sustaining Spaceport

According to SpaceX, the planned facility will be designed as a self-sustaining spaceport with a range of supporting infrastructure.

The project is expected to include:

  • Propellant production facilities

  • Power generation systems

  • Deep-water shipping capabilities

  • Starship vehicle processing facilities

  • An airport

These facilities are intended to allow SpaceX to handle a large portion of its Starship operations from the Louisiana site.

Expanding Starship Operations

SpaceX currently conducts major Starship testing and launch operations from its facility in southern Texas. The company is also expanding its Starship infrastructure at other US locations.

The Louisiana project would give SpaceX another launch location and help the company achieve the extremely high flight cadence it is targeting for Starship.

Why Louisiana?

The southern Louisiana location offers access to the Gulf Coast and deep-water transportation, which could help support the movement of large rocket components and other materials.

The project is also expected to bring significant economic activity to the region as SpaceX expands its aerospace infrastructure.

Part of SpaceX’s Long-Term Starship Strategy

Starship is designed as a fully reusable spacecraft and launch system intended for missions ranging from satellite deployment to future Moon and Mars exploration.

Building additional launch facilities is an important part of SpaceX’s strategy to increase Starship flight frequency and support a wide range of future missions.