Located in South Texas, SpaceX’s STARBASE has transformed dramatically over the past decade. When I first visited the site, it was a remote stretch of desert with only a few satellite dishes and a dirt road leading to an empty sandy landscape. At that time, the area was largely undeveloped, serving as a quiet observation point for passing spacecraft.

By mid-2019, significant progress had been made. The company had cleared some land, built a small launch pad, and established a nearby technology hub called Stargate, operated in collaboration with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. From the second floor of Stargate, engineers watched as the Starhopper prototype completed its first two test flights just a few miles from the site.

As SpaceX ramped up production of its Starship rockets, the site evolved further. Initial structures consisted of tents, which were gradually replaced by large, specialized high bays designed for vehicle assembly and stacking. The site’s growth reflects SpaceX’s shift from a small-scale operation to a major aerospace manufacturing hub, capable of producing the next generation of space vehicles.

Ethan Cole

I'm Ethan Cole, a tech journalist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind innovation. I write about emerging technologies, startups, and the digital trends shaping our future. Read me on x.com