Musk gets his Texas wish. SpaceX launch site approved as new city of Starbase
Starbase: The New Galactic City in South Texas
McALLEN, Texas — In a historic move, the South Texas home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket company has been officially named Starbase, becoming a city with a cosmic identity.
The decision to establish Starbase as a city was made through a vote on Saturday, with an overwhelming majority of the small group of voters, mainly consisting of SpaceX employees, in favor of the proposal. The final count revealed 212 votes in favor and only 6 against, as reported by the Cameron County Elections Department.
Elon Musk took to his social platform, X, to express his excitement, proclaiming that Starbase is now a “real city!”
As the location of SpaceX’s rocket program, Starbase serves as a vital facility and launch site for missions contracted with the Department of Defense and NASA, aiming to send astronauts back to the moon and eventually to Mars.
The concept of Starbase was initially introduced by Musk in 2021, and the approval of its incorporation as a city was widely anticipated. The majority of the 283 eligible voters in the area are believed to be affiliated with Starbase as employees.
The success of the election held personal significance for Musk, whose public image has faced challenges since his involvement in federal initiatives under the previous administration. Despite this, SpaceX continues to receive support from local authorities for the economic opportunities and investments it brings to the region.
However, the establishment of a company town like Starbase has raised concerns among critics who fear that it could consolidate Musk’s influence over the area, potentially leading to the closure of public spaces like a popular beach and state park for rocket launches.
In conjunction with the city’s formation, legislative proposals have been put forward to transfer authority over such decisions from the county to the newly appointed mayor and city council of Starbase.
As SpaceX seeks approval to increase the number of launches from the South Texas site, reaching up to 25 launches per year, these developments underscore the evolving dynamics of governance and regulation in the region.
Situated near the Mexico border, the city of Starbase spans approximately 1.5 square miles and features a mix of residential areas, airstream trailers, and modest homes. The rationale behind establishing Starbase as a city remains largely undisclosed by SpaceX officials.
In a letter addressed to local authorities in 2024, Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders emphasized the need for community growth and cited the company’s existing responsibilities in managing infrastructure and essential services for residents.
Challenges persist regarding the potential impact of granting Starbase authority to close public areas like the beach for operational purposes. This has sparked debates on the balance between public access and operational requirements for SpaceX’s activities.
The South Texas Environmental Justice Network has been vocal in its opposition to the city’s formation and the implications for beach access, organizing demonstrations to raise awareness about the issue.
As the boundaries of Starbase continue to evolve, the community faces ongoing discussions and deliberations on the future governance structure and the preservation of public spaces that hold cultural and environmental significance.
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