SpaceX plans to build an 8-mile natural gas pipeline in Texas to strengthen fuel supply for its Starship launch program and future expansion.
SpaceX plans to begin construction next month on an eight-mile (13-km) natural gas pipeline, called Starpipe, to support fuel supply for its Starship rocket launches in Texas, according to county filings reviewed by Reuters.
The pipeline will connect to SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility and is expected to become operational by January 2026. The project is aimed at supporting more frequent launches of Starship, the company’s next-generation reusable rocket.
Reuters reported that Starship currently uses nearly 630,000 gallons of liquid methane per launch, which is now transported by tanker trucks. A dedicated pipeline could significantly improve fuel logistics as SpaceX scales launch operations.
The company has also signed more than 100 oil and gas leases with Texas landowners since 2023, reflecting broader plans to strengthen control over its energy supply chain.
Engineering filings also show SpaceX plans to build a liquefaction facility at Starbase to convert natural gas into liquid methane for rocket fuel.
“Certainly that would make the most efficient sense,” said William Farrar, a Texas-based oil and gas lawyer, referring to the company’s fuel infrastructure expansion.
The move highlights SpaceX’s push to build an integrated supply chain to support higher launch volumes and long-term growth.
