Inside Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas - in pictures

  • A sign for Starbase, Elon Musk's private spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
    A sign for Starbase, Elon Musk's private spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
  • Three SpaceX rockets stand ready at Starbase in Boca Chica.
    Three SpaceX rockets stand ready at Starbase in Boca Chica.
  • A SpaceX employee works high above the ground on a rocket at the SpaceX launchpad.
    A SpaceX employee works high above the ground on a rocket at the SpaceX launchpad.
  • A SpaceX rocket rises in the distance.
    A SpaceX rocket rises in the distance.
  • A sign at Boca Chica Beach warns of sea turtle nesting.
    A sign at Boca Chica Beach warns of sea turtle nesting.
  • Three Starship rockets stand next to a booster. The reusable rockets are at the centre of SpaceX's plans for the future.
    Three Starship rockets stand next to a booster. The reusable rockets are at the centre of SpaceX's plans for the future.
  • A sign warns passers-by against entering the area around SpaceX's launchpad.
    A sign warns passers-by against entering the area around SpaceX's launchpad.
  • A sign along Texas State Highway 4 warns drivers to watch out for local wildlife.
    A sign along Texas State Highway 4 warns drivers to watch out for local wildlife.
  • A SpaceX security guard questions a driver at the entrance to the launch zone.
    A SpaceX security guard questions a driver at the entrance to the launch zone.
  • Amanda Maul and her son, Connor, drove all the way from Dallas to see SpaceX.
    Amanda Maul and her son, Connor, drove all the way from Dallas to see SpaceX.
  • SpaceX's Starbase facility sits near the Gulf of Mexico in a remote patch of southern Texas.
    SpaceX's Starbase facility sits near the Gulf of Mexico in a remote patch of southern Texas.
  • Boca Chica Beach, looking south towards Mexico. It is one of the last free public beaches in southern Texas.
    Boca Chica Beach, looking south towards Mexico. It is one of the last free public beaches in southern Texas.
  • Workers prepare to move a Starship rocket.
    Workers prepare to move a Starship rocket.
  • SpaceX's Starbase rises in the distance.
    SpaceX's Starbase rises in the distance.
  • A sign marks the lines where the Boca Chica National Wildlife Refuge begins along the Texas State Highway 4.
    A sign marks the lines where the Boca Chica National Wildlife Refuge begins along the Texas State Highway 4.
  • Flowers grow on the dunes of Boca Chica Beach near a SpaceX tower.
    Flowers grow on the dunes of Boca Chica Beach near a SpaceX tower.
  • A person walks in the Boca Chica Wildlife Refuge next to Starbase.
    A person walks in the Boca Chica Wildlife Refuge next to Starbase.
  • A view of Starbase from Boca Chica.
    A view of Starbase from Boca Chica.
  • Flowers grow on the dunes of Boca Chica Beach near a SpaceX tower.
    Flowers grow on the dunes of Boca Chica Beach near a SpaceX tower.
  • A sheriff's car parks near SpaceX in Boca Chica.
    A sheriff's car parks near SpaceX in Boca Chica.
  • A sign along a motorway reads: 'We love Elon'.
    A sign along a motorway reads: 'We love Elon'.
  • An exterior sign for Starbase.
    An exterior sign for Starbase.
  • Cars parked outside of Starbase in Boca Chica.
    Cars parked outside of Starbase in Boca Chica.
  • Some SpaceX employees stay in Airstream trailers parked near the complex in Boca Chica.
    Some SpaceX employees stay in Airstream trailers parked near the complex in Boca Chica.
  • A sign welcomes visitors to Boca Chica Village.
    A sign welcomes visitors to Boca Chica Village.
  • A renovated home in Boca Chica.
    A renovated home in Boca Chica.
  • A Tesla charges in the driveway of a home in Boca Chica.
    A Tesla charges in the driveway of a home in Boca Chica.
  • A shuttered home in Boca Chica. Elon Musk, the world's richest person, lives in the tiny unincorporated village.
    A shuttered home in Boca Chica. Elon Musk, the world's richest person, lives in the tiny unincorporated village.
  • One of two streets in Boca Chica Village, which leads straight to Starbase.
    One of two streets in Boca Chica Village, which leads straight to Starbase.
  • A renovated home in Boca Chica Village. SpaceX has been slowly buying up property in the area for years.
    A renovated home in Boca Chica Village. SpaceX has been slowly buying up property in the area for years.
  • A home in Boca Chica Village. The community used to be mainly made up of retirees, but it is now comprised almost entirely of SpaceX employees.
    A home in Boca Chica Village. The community used to be mainly made up of retirees, but it is now comprised almost entirely of SpaceX employees.
  • A Tesla charges in the driveway of a house in Boca Chica.
    A Tesla charges in the driveway of a house in Boca Chica.
  • A sign on a house in Boca Chica Village warns passers-by they are on private property.
    A sign on a house in Boca Chica Village warns passers-by they are on private property.
  • A white Tesla sits in the driveway of a recently renovated home in Boca Chica Village.
    A white Tesla sits in the driveway of a recently renovated home in Boca Chica Village.
  • A sign on a house in Boca Chica Village warns passers-by they are on private property.
    A sign on a house in Boca Chica Village warns passers-by they are on private property.