SpaceX Expands Starbase Production with New Gigabay Facility
SpaceX is significantly expanding its production capabilities at Starbase, Texas, with the construction of a new Gigabay facility. This development is supported by a grant of up to $7.5 million from the Texas Space Commission's Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF).
The new Gigabay facility will feature 24 work cells dedicated to building, integrating, and refurbishing Starship vehicles, according to SpaceX's official updates. The construction is already underway, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
SpaceX's strategy involves establishing robust production, integration, refurbishment, and launch infrastructures in both Texas and Florida. This dual-location approach is intended to facilitate a rapid increase in the Starship launch rate, leveraging the spacecraft's rapid reusability.
Currently, at the Starbase site, Ship 42 (Flight 15) is undergoing preparation in Mega Bay 2 for its cryogenic campaign. The vehicle has its forward flaps installed, while the aft flaps are pending installation. This marks a notable improvement in production efficiency over previous Block 2 vehicles.
Historically, SpaceX began dismantling older structures at Starbase in mid-2025 to make way for the Gigabay, which is designed to improve workflow by allowing vehicles to be moved indoors. As of January 2026, SpaceX's Florida Gigabay at Roberts Road had progressed more rapidly than its Texas counterpart, with the Florida facility reaching Level 4 on the western side, while the Texas Gigabay remained at Level 3 overall.