SpaceX kind of confirms rumor it is considering purchasing 136,000 acres in Louisiana
In a tweet yesterday SpaceX sort of confirmed the rumor reported here last week that it is considering purchasing a giant 200-plus square mile plot (about 136,000 acres) on the south coast of Louisiana near the unincorporated town of Pecan Island.
It’s no secret that we intend to launch Starship a lot, targeting thousands of flights per year. That cadence will require the ability to launch from many different locations, so we are constantly exploring to find viable sites to expand Starship operations in the future, both domestically and internationally
This comment was in response to a tweet touting this rumor. Note that SpaceX’s comment is somewhat vague. It says the company is searching for additional launch locations for Starship, but does not say specifically if this Louisiana plot is one of them.
I suspect it is, based on all the known facts. The company is just being coy, likely because negotiations are still on-going. If so, the tweet tells us that if purchased SpaceX intends to use the site as a future spaceport. And because of its size, it will likely also install Raptor-3 engine test stands as well as its planned data-center satellite manufacturing, consolidating some operations in one location.
Hat tip BtB’s stringer Jay.
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Re the widely-mooted SpaceX-Tesla merger/purchase, a relative (who suffers from severe TDS) asked “So what does Tesla bring to the table for data centers in space?”
Starlink.
Oh.
Ray Van Dune,
Not the right answer. Starlink has always been part of SpaceX, not Tesla.
If, once the SpaceX IPO is complete, SpaceX then acquires Tesla with stock, Tesla will bring major use cases for the AI data center capacity SpaceX intends to build in space.
What SpaceX could bring to an acquired Tesla is immunity to shareholder lawsuits going forward. Would-be purchasers of SpaceX shares in the IPO are going to be asked to sign waivers of any future right to bring suit against the company. If SpaceX buys Tesla for stock, Tesla shareholders would have to sign such instruments as well. The vast majority of both shareholder bases should be fine with this. And it will immunize the combined company against nuisance lawsuits by leftist cranks who buy a share or two to obtain standing.
You are correct on Starlink ownership – I was incorrect!
Concerning the restricted launch corridors from both Boca and Pecan, I wonder if Cuban overflight might be in the works. I mean legally and cooperatively. Including the possibility of abort or even normal landing sites.
When Disney was scouting land in Florida, Walt flew in to look at the proposed site. The group went to dinner, their waitress recognized Walt and asked for his autograph — he signed using the cover name they were using for his reservations.
So companies have ALWAYS been secretive about big land purchases, sometimes to ridiculous degrees.
john hare,
Interesting thought, but a bit premature at the moment. Once Cuba has a US-friendly government again, a great many things might become possible that are currently precluded. Let us hope that Cuban liberation is close at hand.