Elon Musk’s vision of a city built around space exploration is now a reality as SpaceX’s South Texas launch site is officially incorporated as Starbase.
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| SpaceX’s Starbase becomes an official city after a vote, granting Elon Musk expanded control in South Texas and sparking concerns over public land use. Image: Starbase |
Boca Chica, Texas, USA – May 5, 2025:
Elon Musk’s dream of a city dedicated to space innovation has come true — SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site is now officially “Starbase City” following a local vote that overwhelmingly favored the move.
According to the Cameron County Elections Department, 212 residents voted in favor of incorporation and only six opposed it. Most of the votes came from SpaceX employees, reflecting the company’s dominant footprint in the area.
Musk, who first proposed the idea of Starbase in 2021, celebrated the announcement with a post on X, calling it a step toward a multiplanetary future. Starbase currently serves as the primary launch complex for SpaceX’s Starship rockets, supporting both NASA and Department of Defense missions aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars.
The city incorporation gives Starbase a legal framework to operate as more than a spaceport. SpaceX already provides utilities, infrastructure, schooling, and healthcare for residents. In 2024, Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders wrote to officials requesting federal approval to increase launches from five to 25 annually, stating the community must grow alongside its technological mission.
However, the move has sparked concern among local leaders and activists. As a city, Starbase could gain the authority to close public access to Boca Chica Beach and adjacent state parks during rocket launches — powers previously held by Cameron County. Companion state bills are being debated that could formalize this shift, handing final authority to Starbase’s mayor and council.
Critics argue this undermines public access and transparency. “The county has worked well with SpaceX — there is no reason to give away public oversight,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr.
Opposition groups, including the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, staged protests during the vote. “We’re losing our coastline to a private company,” said activist Josette Hinojosa, who attended with her daughter. “It’s not right that locals can be turned away from the beach they’ve enjoyed for generations.”
Adding to tensions, proposed legislation could make failure to comply with evacuation orders during launches a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
While Starbase promises jobs and investment, the city’s creation also raises questions about the influence of private tech giants over public land and resources. For Musk and SpaceX, it marks a landmark achievement. For South Texans, it’s a future that remains under scrutiny.