SpaceX announces a 100-billion investment in a new spaceport in Louisiana

According to a press release from Louisiana Economic Development, this would be the company’s fourth and largest launch site and would play a key role in increasing the number of missions for its reusable launch system. 

SpaceX wants to drastically increase the number of rocket launches as it aims to put more satellites into orbit. According to the press release , the Louisiana site could support thousands of launches each year .

Anne Rolfes, director of the environmental defence group Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said she was concerned that the state was moving too quickly with a project that would “irreversibly alter” the state’s fragile coastline. According to state officials, construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first launch planned as early as 2029.

“It should be done carefully – with public hearings and a public process that is transparent and gives people time to understand and consider the project,” Rolfes said in a statement. “The speed of the project, the hype and the grandstanding make the whole thing highly questionable.”

Shotwell stated that SpaceX intends to keep much of the site undeveloped and will contribute to restoration and conservation efforts, including by working to reverse the loss of land caused by erosion and “negligent use”

“We are committed to doing our bit to ensure that this land does not disappear,” he said.

The company plans to organise public meetings and other community engagement events over the coming months. Government officials have stated that the project will create 3,000 jobs over a decade.

In June, Musk sold SpaceX shares to the public for the first time in the largest initial public offering ever. The shares soared to $225 per share, briefly making Musk a trillionaire.