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Musk's SpaceX plans $100 billion Louisiana spaceport

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • SpaceX announced plans to build a new spaceport in Louisiana, a $100 billion project that state officials say will be transformational.
  • The proposed site, located on 125,000 acres along the coast, would be SpaceX's fourth and largest launch facility, crucial for increasing Starship missions.
  • Environmental groups expressed concern over the project's potential impact on the fragile coastline, while state officials anticipate 3,000 jobs over a decade.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to construct a massive new spaceport in Louisiana, a $100 billion endeavor that state officials are hailing as a "transformational moment." The ambitious project, announced Tuesday, aims to significantly ramp up rocket launches, particularly for the company's reusable Starship system.

Today is nothing short of a transformational moment.

— Jeff LandryLouisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the deal to build a new SpaceX spaceport as a "transformational moment" for the state and country.

The proposed spaceport will occupy 125,000 acres of land on the state's southern coast, west of New Orleans. This location offers strategic advantages, including access to natural gas and the ability to launch into a wide range of trajectories. It will be SpaceX's fourth and largest launch site, intended to support thousands of launches annually as the company seeks to expand its satellite deployment.

While state officials, including Gov. Jeff Landry, celebrated the deal and its potential economic benefits, environmental advocates voiced concerns. Anne Rolfes, director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, warned that the project could "irrevocably alter" the state's fragile coastline and urged for a more transparent public process. Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for 2029.

It should be thoughtfully done – with public hearings, and a public process that is transparent and gives people time to understand and consider the project.

— Anne RolfesAnne Rolfes, director of the environmental advocacy group Louisiana Bucket Brigade, expressed concerns about the project's speed and transparency.

SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell stated the company's commitment to minimizing environmental impact, pledging to keep much of the site undeveloped and assist with restoration efforts. The project is expected to create 3,000 jobs over the next decade, contributing to SpaceX's broader market opportunity, which the company estimates at over $28 trillion.

We are committed to doing our part to ensure that this land doesn't disappear.

— Gwynne ShotwellSpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell addressed environmental concerns, stating the company's commitment to land preservation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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