As I write this, in Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, the latest version of the space rocket Starship is rolling out the factory hall towards the launch pad. This is the long-awaited and gigantic rocket that Elon Musk's SpaceX wants to travel to the moon and the planet Mars. With 150 million horsepower, it is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built and Texas is preparing for a historic launch.
Update 28 May 2024: I'm going back to Starbase! The fourth test launch of the Starship Superheavy is scheduled for June 5, 2024. The flights have been booked and I, together with some well-known YouTubers, will be able to get closer than ever during the launch. More about that later!
Let's go back in time: I was at the Starbase complex in December 2022 and experienced everything up close. I spent four days with Malou on the beach of Boca Chica at SpaceX. Here we camped a stone's throw from the Starship while work was done on it day and night. In retrospect, this was one of the highlights of our trip through America. On the one hand, of course, because the Starship cannot be seen anywhere else in the world and on the other hand, because we were able to get so close – without fences or other restrictions.
In this article I would like to tell you more about our visit to Starbase. The SpaceX space rocket complex is free to visit and for the time being you can get incredibly close to the rockets. As you can see in the photo above, you can even camp wild on the beach for free, right next to the rocket without any fences in between! A bizarre and unique experience that will certainly come to an end soon for safety reasons.
As far as I'm concerned, the photos in this article will already go down in the history books: a Dutch camper next to the very first Starship Superheavy that was actually launched (and exploded) into space. No one can take that scoop away from us!
Live streams from the launch of SpaceX's Starship Superheavy
UPDATE August 1, 2024: Added new photos and videos taken during and after the 4th test launch. This time too I was there live.
Watch the first launch:
Did you miss the first test launch? Don't worry, the livestream of the first launch (with explosion) can be seen below in 4k quality.
Watch the second launch:
Watch the third launch:
Watch the fourth launch:
To watch future live streams:
- Via Spacex.com – Click here.
- Via Space.com – Click here.
- Via X/Twitter, SpaceX channel – Click here.
- YouTube (WhatAboutIt) – Click here.
- YouTube (LabPadre) – Click here.
- YouTube (NasaSpaceFlight) – Click here.
- YouTube (SpaceX) – Click here.
- YouTube (TheLaunchPad) – Click here.
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy and a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
We wrote almost 100 articles about this ultimate tour. Visit our North America page for more information.
About Starbase
Starbase is Elon Musk's SpaceX's new rocket base in Boca Chica, Texas. The complex is still under development. We work day and night on only one goal: Developing, building and launching the new Starship, the largest and most powerful space rocket ever built by mankind. The rocket that will take humanity to Mars. In case you are not fully aware: SpaceX published an animation video in early 2022 that shows you exactly what the journey to Mars will look like. They are grand plans that seem to come out of a Science fiction movie, but they are actually building this already. Science does indeed become reality in this case. You can watch the video below.
So it's not just rockets that are built here. History is being written here. Whereas NASA has only used space rockets once since the 50s before dropping them into the ocean, Elon Musk is working with SpaceX to develop a Starship that can land autonomously and be reused. This technology did not exist until recently – only SpaceX has managed to do this yet. Meanwhile, the Falcon 9 booster, another smaller rocket from SpaceX, has already performed more than 350 successful launches + landings. Malou and I have two of these Falcon 9 / SpaceX rocket launches seen in Florida, which was an amazing, indescribable experience. With this Falcon 9, thousands of satellites for internet and communications have already been placed in orbit around the earth. An enormous achievement that even NASA cannot match.
But the Falcon 9, which is now launched almost 3 times a week, still relies in a sense on old-fashioned rocket technology and rocket fuel. It is also too small and not powerful enough for the future. The moon and Mars missions require much more power and efficiency and SpaceX has developed new engines and rockets for this. For the time being, those new rockets, the Starships, can only be admired here in Boca Chica Texas.
The Evolution of Starship (Video with Explosions!)
The gigantic 110-meter Starship is now ready for its fourth launch on June 5, 2024. This test launch will also be world news. It now seems like the most normal thing in the world, but realize how fast development is going at SpaceX. The first prototype, the Starhopper, only flew and landed for the first time in 2019. The first full-fledged Starship only flew in 2021 and its first 'bellyflop' landing also only succeeded for the first time later that year.
In the video below you can see what went right and wrong with the previous prototypes. These are truly bizarre images, especially those of the bellyflop landings of the SN8, SN9 and SN10.
What are Starbase's opening hours?
Although more and more people are finding their way to the complex due to great worldwide interest in the Mars project, Starbase is in principle not a tourist attraction. Starbase therefore has no opening hours. You can therefore not attend any tours (yet) and there is little to see except for the gigantic rockets, the associated beach and the large factory halls. You can admire the rockets and the work that is being done day and night. There is also plenty of work at night and you can follow everything in detail because you can get so incredibly close.
What is the location of Starbase?
The SpaceX Starbase complex is located on the beach in Boca Chica, at the southernmost tip of the state of Texas in the United States. The complex is steps away from the beach and border with Mexico. You can view the exact location of Starbase on Google Maps via this link. Save it for later I say.
How do you get to Starbase?
Airplane and airline tickets
You probably won't fly to south Texas just for Starbase to see the Starships, unless you're a real fan (like me) and want to see a rocket launch live, for example. The most obvious is that you are taking a tour through America, in Texas, or visiting one of the cities in Texas. Houston, Austin and San Antonio are approximately a 4 to 6 hour drive from Starbase. From Amsterdam you can search outside the high season this page from Skyscanner, for 500 euros return flights to these cities.
Also read: Skyscanner | How to save (a lot of) money on flights
Rental car & access roads
Have you arranged your plane tickets, or are you already in Texas? Then, unless you drive your own vehicle, it is still a matter of concern rent a car so you can drive to Starbase. Starbase has only one entryway. From the town of Brownsville you drive via road number 4, also known as Boca Chica Blvd, toward SpaceX's space rocket station.
Note: you always drive past a customs checkpoint on this road. You will be asked a number of questions, ask for your passport and VISA and possibly check your car for customs purposes. Also keep in mind that you find yourself a stone's throw from the Mexican border. Controls can therefore be very strict. The customs post may also provide information about upcoming tests and launches at Starbase so that you can leave the area in time.
Are there hotels near Starbase?
The special thing about Starbase is that it hasn't been around that long (under construction since 2019) and is still partly under construction. There is hardly any infrastructure. There are not (yet) any hotels in the area that really focus on the arrival of SpaceX. It's all still in its infancy. It is therefore absolutely not comparable to it Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which is almost as much an amusement park as it is a missile base these days.
The cheap hotels
In Brownsville (about a 30 minute drive from Starbase) there are a few hotels. The closest (as seen from Starbase) are the Quality Inn en Americas Best Value Inn. These are both very simple 2 star hotels where you can go for about 60 euros per night.
The better hotels
If you are looking for something more luxurious, you can go to just outside the center of Brownsville Hampton Inn and Suites, Courtyard by Marriott en Residence Inn by Marriott. These are all 3 star hotels with a rating of 8,5 or more on Booking.com. Rooms in these hotels cost about 150 euros per night during the week and 200 euros at the weekend. Sometimes you can go for less with an offer.
The perfect hotels for launches
Are you planning to actually attend a Starship launch, then the tip of South Padre Island one of the best places to look for a hotel. Starbase and Boca Chica Beach are always hermetically sealed during tests and launches, so you must leave the area. As the crow flies, you're done Isla Blanca Beach (Location tickets & info), in the south of South Padré Island, then closest to the rocket launch. Experience shows that you will not be the only one who comes to see this. Thousands of people gather on the beach with pickup trucks, filled coolers and barbecues when static-fire tests are planned, let alone a full, historic launch.
And because rocket launches can often be unexpectedly postponed, it's nice to be in a hotel that you can reach on foot from Isla Blanca Beach. Your best options are then Sea Vista Apartments, Holiday Inn Resort en La Isla South Padre Residences.
Can you (wild) camp at Starbase?
Yes that is allowed! Boca Chica Beach is public and falls under the nature reserves in Texas. So you can camp here freely and for free on the beach. Provided no tests or launches are planned, of course, because then the area will be completely closed off. However, it is absolutely advisable to only do this if you have a 4×4. The beach is made of superfine sand that your car or camper can easily sink into.
Therefore, make sure you have a car that is capable enough to drive in loose sand. Good tires (e.g. the BFGoodrich Ko2 All-Terrain), of course also help. Don't forget to activate your 4×4 and deflate your tires a bit before you hit the beach. This is so that you have more grip in the loose sand and you sink less quickly.
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What to see and do at Starbase
Starbase Sign
The already world-famous Starbase logo (location tickets & info), is depicted on a large scale on the wall behind which the factories are located and where you immediately see all the Starships. This is pretty much the first thing you see when you drive up to the SpaceX complex. Many people come here to take a picture, you are probably not the only one who comes to have a look. Please note that it is on a public road. Often I saw people standing in the middle of the road for a photo. This sometimes led to dangerous situations.
Starships in the Rocket garden
When you have driven a short distance past the Starbase logo, you can turn left to the rocket garden (Location tickets & info). This road is a dead end, but at the end there are several Starships without a booster that have already performed short test flights. It feels a bit strange to drive into this road because a lot of heavy equipment and large cranes are used here. So make sure you don't get in the way.
Tip:: Curious about what I shoot with? Then view the display below.
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As I write this article, I still find it difficult to comprehend. That we ourselves and our Dutch World Travelers camper have stood there right in front of those Starships, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. As you can see when we arrived it was a dark, drizzly day towards sunset. However, this resulted in unique, high-contrast images.
Tip:: I can't imagine that it will be very long before they close this road for good. So make use of it while you can!
Update December 2023: unfortunately this road is now closed... You can now only admire the rockets in the Rocket Garden from 100 meters away.
Residential complex SpaceX employees
You can also see where the SpaceX employees temporarily live when you are at the rocket garden. These are employees who are flown in from all over America to work here for weeks at a time. That is why a complete campsite with large caravans has been set up, right next to the used rockets from the rocket garden. There is also a large common room, a restaurant and a bar. Tourists are not welcome here - that is clearly indicated and there is security to keep an eye on this.
Starbase Production Site (Megabay)
De Starbase Production Site (Location tickets & info) is in fact the factory where the Starships are built. The large buildings are called Megabays. The site often consists of these immense halls. Everything is well shielded, you can't just get close to it and that makes sense.
What's really cool to see is when they bring a Starship or Superheavy Booster to and from the launch pad for testing. They simply transport the gigantic rockets across public roads on a large steerable platform with up to 80 wheels underneath. Because there are cars and people so close during transport, you really see how gigantic these rockets are.
starhopper
When you then continue to the beach and/or the launch pad, you can stop at the starhopper. You would just drive past it because the Starhopper doesn't really look like a rocket. starhopper was SpaceX's first successful test flight with the SpaceX Raptor engines. The now-damaged vehicle is simply parked behind the wall, shown in the photo below (the bulbous thing at the far left).
Orbital Launch Pad 1 | Fully Stacked Starship
This is of course what you come for. Orbital launch pad 1 is the launchpad where hopefully during your visit a fully stacked Starship (so Starship+Booster underneath), can be seen. The photo below was taken from the beach. You can see here, among other things, a fully stacked Starship with booster on the launch pad. On the left is another Starship and the small Starhopper, just to the right of the launch pad. Due to the immensely large rocket of 110 meters, the starhopper is hardly noticeable.
Orbital launch pad 1 is actually a large tower crane that can 'stack' the Starships. That is, it contains some kind of crane (the two arms that wrap around the Starship, the upper part of the rocket). These arms can lift Starships and place them on the boosters. This process happens regularly and with a bit of luck you can see live how this works. Below you can see a zoomed-in photo of it, just after stacking.
Tip:: Curious about what I shoot with? Then view the display below.
The Fujifilm X-T5 with 16-80 is the ultimate all-round world travel camera† This camera has been declared several times by both the consumer association and Tweakers.net the best system camera you can buy. Even on automatic mode, you suddenly feel like a professional photographer!
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Also read: What is the best camera for a world tour? And why?
Also read: Why you should NOT take pictures with your smartphone during a world trip
Boca Chica Beach
Boca Chica Beach (Location tickets & info), is just a beach like any other during the day. Day-trippers come to swim and to take walks on the beach. What makes this beach unique is that you have a great view of the Starships and that you can wild camp for free.
You are here in a warm, humid and tropical area close to the Mexican border. The humidity of the sea and the dusty dryness of the nearby Texas desert ensures that you can experience the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We literally saw all the colors of the rainbow in the days we were here. Every morning and evening it was pure enjoyment again.
Wildlife spotting at Boca Chica Beach
In addition to immense rockets and the beautiful beach, there is more to see at Boca Chica Beach. We saw many beautiful birds, including large groups of pelicans that regularly flew over. We also occasionally spotted dolphins, right in front of our (camper) door.
We also saw, but mainly heard, Coyotes. Especially on the nights we camped here, we heard groups of Coyotes howling like wolves. They often came very close to the camper from the dunes, and we saw the tracks every time in the morning. So don't leave food scraps outside!
Meet YouTubers and streamers
Did you know next to the official SpaceX YouTube channel, there are several cameras on Starbase and the launch pad 24/7? There are dozens of YouTube channels that report 24 hours a day on what is happening here. Many of them have hundreds of thousands or millions of online followers. Starbase Live en LabPadre broadcast live images 24/7. Everyday Astronaut, Marcus House en ALPHA TECH are popular channels of influencers to follow if you want to stay up to date with the latest news.
The YouTubers are regularly camped here on the beach, just like us. They often have cameras on the roof of their vehicle that are focused non-stop on the complex. Especially around sunset you see a lot of activity for the best photos and video images. On the side of the launch pad along the road where you can drive onto the beach, the 'influencers' have put up a sign where they often gather over a drink at sunset.
The YouTube and Twitter influencers are very accessible and are happy to tell you about what they do and what the latest developments are around the Starship and of course SpaceX in general. They also often go to the beach in groups during the day, with garbage bags in hand, to clean up the beach. A lot of rubbish washes up here from the sea, which is fortunately cleaned up regularly by these volunteers. Malou and I also helped for an afternoon.
Conclusion
Whether you are interested in technology, space and rockets or not, Starbase in Boca Chica Texas is definitely a unique place to visit. Nowhere else in the world is construction underway on perhaps the most extreme project humanity has ever undertaken. As humanity we will go back to the moon and if it is up to Elon Musk's SpaceX, even to Mars. Here you can literally see history being made from just a stone's throw away.
A few years ago it was still a joke. Is that crazy Elon Musk really going to do it? The answer is a resounding 'YES' and only here can you see how the Starships are developed. Nowhere else in the world. You might even see a launch with a little planning and luck. The rocket you see in the background below exploded into thousands of pieces during its first test launch on April 20, 2023.
That we do this with our Dutch World Travelers camper I can hardly imagine having experienced it up close. We have made ourselves a small part of this piece of history.
Anyone who wants to visit the complex should do so as soon as possible. It is almost inevitable that they will make changes due to the enormous increase in visitors and safety. So if you are also planning to take a photo near the rockets with a Dutch license plate, you better hurry.
Until the next blog!
