Why Boca Chica?
Out of curiosity, I looked into why SpaceX picked Boca Chica, Texas, and honestly, it lines up with what they’re trying to do. It’s way down south at 25.9971° N, so launching east gives them a bit more help from Earth’s spin. It’s not a game-changer, but when you’re hauling something as heavy as Starship, every bit of velocity helps.
What really stood out, though, is the control they’ve got out there. Unlike Cape Canaveral or Vandenberg, Boca Chica is theirs, no waiting on other launches, no sharing the schedule. They can build, test, and fly on their own terms. That’s probably why Musk started floating the name “Starbase, TX” not just a launch pad, but a full-on company town for spaceflight.
One more thing, it’s not all wide-open skies. The area’s boxed in by the Gulf and the Mexican border, and environmental pushback has been steady, from habitat concerns to lawsuits. But for now, it looks like Boca Chica gives them just enough space to chase what they’re aiming for.