SpaceX Plans 125,000-Acre Louisiana Spaceport with Thousands of Annual Launches, Drawing Resident Concerns
SpaceX announced plans to build a 125,000-acre rocket facility in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, capable of launching approximately 30 rockets per day. The deal, described by the state as bringing $100 billion in investment, was announced at an invitation-only event in Abbeville on August 25. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed new laws granting aerospace companies, including SpaceX, exemptions from property taxes, liability, and nuisance claims related to noise, vibrations, heat exhaust, and sonic booms.
SpaceX's planned "Star Base Louisiana" would encompass 125,000 acres in Vermilion Parish, with five launch complexes and employee housing, according to Louisiana Economic Development. Elon Musk said in a promotional video played at the announcement event that the facility would bring around 10,000 jobs to the region. The company's stated goals include expanding its Starlink satellite internet service and potentially powering data centers in space.
The announcement was made at an invitation-only gathering in Abbeville where executives, developers, and politicians watched a promotional video featuring Musk and Gov. Landry. NPR's Gulf States Newsroom reported that some state lawmakers signed nondisclosure agreements — under the codename "Project Osprey" — during negotiations for the deal. Landry defended the use of NDAs, saying competing states were a concern: "You think I want Texas to steal my thunder?"
Under the terms obtained by the Gulf States Newsroom and first reported by the Louisiana Illuminator, SpaceX will pay the Vermilion Parish government approximately $25 million annually, in exchange for avoiding billions of dollars in property taxes over 25 years. Landry also signed laws exempting aerospace companies, including SpaceX, from public records laws in addition to the noise and liability exemptions.