Starbase, Texas: launch schedule & viewing guide
Starbase is SpaceX's private launch and development facility near Boca Chica, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as the primary site for developing, testing, and launching Starship, SpaceX's fully reusable super-heavy launch vehicle intended for Mars missions and large commercial payloads.
Upcoming launches from Starbase
- Starship | Flight 13 In 5 weeks
📅 Subscribe to Starbase launches in your calendar
About Starbase
SpaceX began developing the Boca Chica site in the mid-2010s, initially for small launch testing and later transforming it into the full-scale Starship development campus. The site is remote — the nearest city of any size is Brownsville, about 30 miles north — and SpaceX has effectively become the primary presence in the area. Integrated Flight Tests of the full Starship stack began in 2023 and the program has iterated rapidly since then.
Starbase includes the launch pad, the orbital launch mount, a massive booster catch tower known as Mechazilla, and extensive production and test facilities. The cadence of activity there is unlike any other launch site: hardware is being built, tested, and launched in a compressed development cycle. For observers interested in witnessing the development of the largest rocket ever flown, Starbase is a uniquely compelling destination.
Rockets: Starship, Super Heavy.
Launch operators: SpaceX.
Watching a launch near Starbase
SpaceX manages public access carefully at Starbase. Official launch viewing areas are set up on South Padre Island and at designated spots near Boca Chica Beach, subject to road closures. The beach road is often closed on launch days. South Padre Island, about 5 miles from the pad, offers an excellent vantage point and is the most reliable public viewing location. Closures can extend for hours before and after a launch attempt.
Best nearby towns to watch from
- Port Isabel, TX — about 6 mi away; launches appear toward the southeast.
- South Padre Island, TX — about 7 mi away; launches appear toward the south.
- Laguna Vista, TX — about 11 mi away; launches appear toward the southeast.
- Bayview, TX — about 18 mi away; launches appear toward the east-southeast.
- Los Fresnos, TX — about 21 mi away; launches appear toward the east-southeast.
- Brownsville, TX — about 22 mi away; launches appear toward the east-northeast.
Starbase viewing FAQ
Where is the best place to watch a Starship launch?
South Padre Island is widely considered the best public viewing location, offering clear sightlines across the water to the launch site from roughly 5 miles away. Many observers set up on the beach or at elevated spots on the island. The vantage gives a clear view of liftoff, the booster separation, and often the booster catch attempt at the tower.
Is Boca Chica Beach open to the public on launch days?
Not always. SpaceX and Cameron County issue road closures for Boca Chica Road ahead of launch windows, and the beach area near the pad is typically evacuated. The closures can activate hours before a scheduled launch. Always check local alerts and SpaceX's communications before attempting to drive to the beach on a launch day.
Can Starship launches be seen from Brownsville or McAllen?
Yes, Starship launches are visible from Brownsville approximately 30 miles north, particularly the Super Heavy booster burn which is extremely bright. From McAllen, roughly 70 miles away, the launch is visible under clear conditions as a bright moving light. The scale of the vehicle makes it one of the more visible rockets even from a distance.