SpaceX plans to build 'Starpipe' natural gas pipeline to fuel Starship rockets
SpaceX also plans an on-site liquefaction plant and is evaluating drilling its own gas as it seeks a more reliable fuel supply.
- SpaceX plans to begin construction next month on an eight-mile natural gas pipeline dubbed "Starpipe" to feed its Starbase launch facility in South Texas, according to filings reviewed by Reuters.
- Each Starship launch consumes roughly 630,000 gallons of liquid methane, requiring hundreds of tanker truck deliveries per flight—a logistical model incompatible with Elon Musk's vision of launching hundreds or thousands of Starships annually.
- Engineering plans indicate SpaceX intends to construct an on-site liquefaction plant at Starbase to convert pipeline gas into liquid methane, eliminating external fuel processing and supporting high-frequency launch operations.
- Company President Gwynne Shotwell confirmed SpaceX is evaluating drilling its own natural gas in Texas, with the company having signed more than 100 oil and gas leases since 2023.
- Operational by January, the pipeline marks the latest step in Musk's plan to control the Starship supply chain as natural gas becomes increasingly contested among data centers, energy exports, and commercial spaceflight.
20 Articles
20 Articles
SpaceX Plans 8-Mile ‘Starpipe’ to Fuel Spaceship to Mars
SpaceX plans to start construction on an 8-mile “Starpipe” natural gas pipeline on July 7 to bring fuel directly to its Texas launch site, according to the company’s filing with the Texas Railroad Commission. Elon Musk’s space company’s contractors Lone Star Mineral Development filed plans for the 16-inch underground pipeline, which will carry liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Port of Brownsville to Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The Star…
SpaceX to build Starpipe pipeline to speed up Starship launchesSpaceX plans to build a Starpipe pipeline to its Starbase spaceport to provide a continuous supply of methane. This will increase the number of Starship launches from dozens to hundreds per year.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
