Starbase Launch Pads Near Boca Chica, Texas

SpaceX Launch Site Starbase

South Texas Launch Pad for SpaceX Starship

Starbase launch pad for SpaceX Starship in Boca Chica, Texas and nearby hotels in Brownsville, TX. This launch site is devoted to developing and launching large rockets capable of travel to the Moon and Mars. Additionally, Starship will be used commercially for lifting very large payloads. The current configuration of Starship being tested is numbered with a serial number (SN.) Although the last tested Starship ended in a crash, the next test model will be SN 28, or SN 29. The next launch date is pending. Currently, the tests are centered on the emergency breakup procedure that failed on the last launch. SpaceX Starbase T-shirt.

Massey's Rocket Testing Facility near Starbase

In January 2023, SpaceX acquired a nearby gun range known as Massey's for purpose of establishing a rocket testing facility. That project is well under way.

Starship

SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket (together referred to as Starship) is a reusable rocket system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbits, the Moon, and Mars.

Starship is designed to be the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.

Starship is still in its developmental stage and has experienced setbacks in several stationary and vertical test launches. It has yet to tested in an orbital format which is expected to be attempted later this year. Video of Starship 11 vertical test and attempted landing here.

Launch Site Starbase at Boca Chica, TX

The SpaceX South Texas launch site is called Starbase by Elon Musk. The site is a private rocket production facility, test site, and launch pads built by SpaceX. Boca Chica, Texas, is basically a beach with just a few local houses located on the Texas Gulf Coast. This area was chosen because of the overwater launch capability, its sparseness of population, and its southern location. The launch schedule is somewhat flexible and is best determined at the SpaceX.com website.

SpaceX will eventually launch the Starship Rocket to Mars from this base. Extensive testing will continue at this site with the target being a fully orbital mission. SpaceX will not have permission to launch the Starship rocket from the Kennedy Space Center facility in Florida until it has proven itself in test flights.

SpaceX launches various space vehicles from it primary launch center at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Vandenberg AFB, in California. These flights focus on supply missions to the International Space Station, launching satellites for the Air Force, launches for its own Internet satellite program, and launching commercial payloads for various countries and private companies.

Launch Delays

On occasion there are launch delays caused by local weather or weather down range. Delays may also be generated by technical issues, but those are more infrequent than in the past. If you book your hotel for several days you will still be able to see a delayed launch and enjoy the Brownsville area in a meantime .

Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville is the closest civilization to Boca Chica, TX and is a better choice than South Padre Island to the north, as South Padre Island offers mainly older beach hotels. Also, Brownsville is a much shorter drive to the Boca Chica site and has all the nice restaurants. Here are some things to do in your free time. Find things to do in Brownsville.

Boca Chica, Texas

Boca Chica is always open except during launches. Drive 23 miles east on Texas Highway 4 from Brownsville and you will find the road ends at the Boca Chica beach. There are no services, so you’ll want to bring your own food and water. Camping is not permitted. Hotels Near Boca Chica in Brownsville, TX. The closest hotels to Boca Chica are in Brownsville, TX