"Starbase, Texas Now Officially City!" SpaceX's Elon Musk-Owned Site Gains City Status
Elon Musk's residential location gains autonomous city status under SpaceX's jurisdiction.
Hear that, folks? SpaceX's Starbase in Texas is now a bona fide city! And who'd be more thrilled than Elon Musk himself, the company's face behind the innovation? Boca Chica, a tiny settlement close to the Mexican border, is where most of the 283 qualified voters, primarily SpaceX employees, called the shots in a landslide 98% vote.
With an overwhelming victory, SpaceX's Starbase, previously a test site for rocket launches, has been granted city status as of May 3, 2025. Musk took to the airwaves, celebrating the election results, exclaiming, "Starbase, Texas. It's official now!"
Most of the 500 or so residents living on properties around the Cameron County site are either SpaceX employees or affiliated with the company. Musk, Top Dog of SpaceX, didn’t cast his ballot by the April 29 deadline, according to Cameron County election coordinator Remi Garza.
With the official city status, Starbase will be the master of its own construction and permitting destiny, bypassing various bureaucratic hurdles. It'll also have the power to collect taxes and lay down local laws. And let's not forget about establishing local government! The mayor's office? Goes to SpaceX representative Bobby Peden, SpaceX's Vice President of Test and Launch, who was the only candidate on the ballot.
Named after: Elon Musk
SpaceX's Starbase near Boca Chica first appeared on the scene in 2019, and it all began when Elon Musk suggested the name "Starbase" during a visit to the site four years ago. Kathryn Lueders, SpaceX's CEO, put pen to paper in December 2021 to ask local authorities for city status for the site. Lueders justified their request by pointing out that SpaceX already manages infrastructure such as roads, education, and medical facilities. Lueders also pledged that the creation of the city would not hinder SpaceX's commitment to keeping the project environmentally friendly.
Critics, however, have called out SpaceX for barring access to Boca Chica Beach for years. Back in 2024, environmental agencies and Texas authorities discovered that SpaceX was responsible for several leaks and the release of pollutants into Texas rivers.
Due to his role as an advisor to former US President Donald Trump, Musk has stirred up some controversy in recent times. Last week, Musk announced that he'd be dialing back his involvement with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to focus on Tesla. This decision came when Tesla's financials were taking a nosedive.
Sources: ntv.de, hny/AFP
- Elon Musk
- SpaceX
- Texas
(Enrichment Insight) The process that led Starbase to become a city in Texas involved several steps**:
- Proposal and Voting: Elon Musk initially proposed transforming Starbase into a city in 2021. A vote was held among the 283 eligible residents within the proposed city boundaries on May 3, 2025. The results showed widespread support for incorporation, with 212 votes for and 6 against[1][2].
- Incorporation Process: Following the vote, the county needs to certify the results, which makes the city official[1]. This step is crucial for formalizing the city's legal status.
(Enrichment Insight) Becoming a city has several implications for SpaceX's operations and local governance:
- Simplified Launch Operations: Starbase may be granted the authority to shut down the nearby beach more smoothly, benefiting SpaceX's rocket launches for contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense[2].
- Expansion of Facilities: The new city status allows SpaceX more flexibility in expanding facilities and operations, potentially aiding the development and testing of advanced spacecraft.
(Enrichment Insight) There are also implications for Starbase’s local governance:
- Community Engagement: As a city, Starbase has become a focal point for discussions between economic development, driven by SpaceX, and environmental concerns, leading to protests and community engagement efforts[2].
- Public Access: Concerns have been raised about Elon Musk's potential control over local resources, such as the nearby beach. Restrictions placed on beach access for launches may affect public access[2].
- Authority and Legislation: Stricter penalties are being considered for non-compliance with evacuation orders during launches, leading to possible disagreements between city authorities and locals or visitors[2].
- The Commission, recognizing the financial contributions and commitment to science and technology by SpaceX under Elon Musk, has taken a number of steps to ensure that the Community's financial interests are protected in the newly incorporated city of Starbase, Texas.
- Following the overwhelmingly successful vote by SpaceX employees and affiliates, Elon Musk, the Top Dog of SpaceX, announced the official city status of Starbase, previously a test site for rocket launches, on May 3, 2025.
- As the only candidate on the ballot, SpaceX representative Bobby Peden, Vice President of Test and Launch, was appointed as the mayor of Starbase, allowing SpaceX greater control over its construction and permitting destiny, bypassing various bureaucratic hurdles.
- With Starbase now officially a city, it will have the power to collect taxes, lay down local laws, and establish local government, further consolidating SpaceX's influence in the region.
- As the master of its own destiny, Starbase may face criticism for its handling of environmental concerns, especially regarding the nearby Boca Chica Beach and the release of pollutants into Texas rivers, due to its close ties with Elon Musk and SpaceX.