Elon Musk's Starbase Officially Becomes a City in Texas

McALLEN, Texas - The SpaceX launch site in South Texas has officially been designated as a city named Starbase, following a recent vote where 212 residents approved the measure, with only six dissenting votes. This decision marks a significant step for the area, primarily inhabited by SpaceX employees.

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, expressed excitement over the new city status through a post on his social media platform, indicating that Starbase is now recognized as a legitimate city. The facility serves as the launch site for various SpaceX missions, including contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense aimed at returning astronauts to the moon and eventually sending missions to Mars.

The concept of Starbase was initially proposed by Musk in 2021, and the approval of the city was largely anticipated given the demographic composition of the voters, most of whom are connected to SpaceX. Of the 283 eligible voters in this small community, a majority are believed to work for the aerospace company.

While Musk's popularity has faced challenges, particularly following his close association with significant political changes and fluctuations in Tesla's profitability, the establishment of Starbase reflects his ongoing influence in the region. Despite the apparent support from local officials for SpaceX's economic contributions, the creation of a company town has raised concerns among critics about the extent of Musk's control over the area.

Opponents of the city status worry that it may empower Musk to restrict access to public areas, including a popular beach and state park that could be affected by launch operations. Legislative efforts are underway to shift more authority from county governance to the newly formed city council, which has sparked protests from local groups advocating for public access to these natural spaces.

SpaceX has been seeking to expand its operations significantly, requesting federal approval to increase launch frequency from five to twenty-five times per year. The geographical size of Starbase is relatively small, covering only about 1.5 square miles, characterized by a few roads and a mix of residential structures.

SpaceX representatives have not provided extensive details on their motivations for establishing a company town, but have indicated a desire to foster community growth. In a prior communication with local officials, the company emphasized its existing management of local infrastructure, including roads and utilities, as well as community services like education and healthcare.

With the launch activities requiring road closures and access to recreational areas, SpaceX has argued that granting city authority could facilitate operations. Critics maintain that the county should retain control of these resources to ensure broader public access. Local officials have generally expressed satisfaction with their cooperation with SpaceX, arguing that changes are unnecessary.

Legislation proposed in conjunction with the city vote includes measures that could impose penalties on individuals who do not comply with evacuation orders during launches, raising further concerns among environmental and community advocates. Demonstrations have taken place to voice opposition to these developments, reflecting the community's commitment to preserving access to cherished local spaces.