SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica)
ActiveNo launches are currently scheduled from SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica) in the published manifest, which was last confirmed on 9 August 2026. Dates may have moved since.
SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica) is home of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built. Operational since 2023 and ramping toward an orbital cadence that could exceed all other sites combined.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 25.9969°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Starbase at 25.9969°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Starbase
From 25.9969°N, Starbase can reach 5 Starlink inclination shells: 28.5° (equatorial belt), 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Starbase would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±46° (primarily) — mostly tropical and subtropical regions. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Starbase: the Starship proving ground
SpaceX's South Texas site is where Starship — the largest and most powerful rocket ever built — is being flight-tested toward orbit, the Moon and Mars. Each integrated test flight from here is a closely watched milestone.
It's a coastal Gulf site that launches east over the water, and its low around 26°N latitude favours the high-energy trajectories Starship is designed to fly.
Starbase — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Starbase and who operates it?
SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica) is located at 25.9969°N, 97.1571°W in Texas, USA. It is owned and operated by SpaceX. The site has conducted approximately 5 orbital launches since its first in 2023.
What rockets launch from Starbase?
Current vehicles operating from SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica) include Starship / Super Heavy. Primary customers are SpaceX, launching Starlink (future), Lunar/Mars missions, point-to-point cargo.
What orbits can Starbase reach?
At 25.9969°N, Starbase's minimum achievable inclination is 26.0° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 26° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Starbase?
Yes — SpaceX Starbase (Boca Chica) hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 4 orbital launches per year. Viewing areas are open to the public for many launches. Rockets are often visible for several hundred kilometres after liftoff.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Starbase?
Satellites regularly launched from Starbase include Starlink (future), Lunar/Mars missions, point-to-point cargo. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Starbase built at this latitude?
Starbase at 25.9969°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 2023.
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