# Starbase Pad 2

**Type:** Orbital launch complex
**Operator:** SpaceX
**Location:** Boca Chica, Texas
**Status:** Operational (refinements complete as of April 2026)
**First launch:** Starship Flight 12 (targeting early May 2026)

## Overview

Starbase Pad 2 is SpaceX's second orbital launch complex at Boca Chica, Texas. Its completion doubles Starship launch capacity at the Starbase facility, enabling higher cadence operations critical to Starship's reuse economics model.

## Operational Significance

The two-pad configuration allows SpaceX to:
- Conduct vehicle processing and launch operations in parallel
- Reduce turnaround time between launches
- Increase annual launch capacity for Starship
- Test and iterate on vehicle designs more rapidly

With 44 Starship missions planned for 2026, the second pad is essential infrastructure for achieving the launch cadence required to validate reuse economics.

## Timeline

- **2026-04** — Pad refinements completed
- **2026-05** (target) — First launch: Starship Flight 12 (V3)

## Related Infrastructure

- Starbase Pad 1 (original orbital launch complex)
- Starship V3
- Boca Chica production facility

## Sources

- NASASpaceFlight.com, April 2026