In a resounding victory for Elon Musk and his aerospace empire, the South Texas site of SpaceX operations has been officially declared a city named Starbase, following a decisive vote held Saturday. The election, organized among the small population residing within the area — most of whom are SpaceX employees — passed with a margin of 212 votes in favor and only six opposed, according to the Cameron County Elections Department.
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, celebrated the result on his social media platform X, proclaiming Starbase is “now a real city!”
Located near the U.S.-Mexico border, Starbase spans just 1.5 square miles and serves as the central hub for SpaceX’s ambitious rocket program — a launch site contracted by both NASA and the Department of Defense, with missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars.
A Long-Time Vision Realized
Musk first proposed the idea of transforming the Boca Chica area into a city named Starbase in 2021. While the concept raised eyebrows at the time, Saturday’s outcome had long appeared inevitable. Of the 283 eligible voters in the district, most are connected directly to SpaceX operations.
The move marks a personal milestone for Musk amid turbulent times. His approval ratings have dwindled following his alignment with cost-cutting policies of the Trump administration, and Tesla — another Musk-led enterprise — has suffered recent financial downturns.
Growth and Governance
SpaceX officials have yet to publicly comment on the election results. However, a 2024 letter by Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders to local authorities emphasized the company’s need to “grow Starbase as a community.” The letter further noted that SpaceX already provides residents with road maintenance, utility services, schooling, and medical care — functions traditionally handled by municipal governments.
Efforts are now underway in the Texas Legislature to shift authority from Cameron County to the new city government. These proposals include giving Starbase officials control over beach closures — a contentious issue in the region.
Local Backlash Over Access
While the economic contributions of SpaceX have generally earned praise from local leaders, critics argue that cityhood could give Musk unchecked influence over public land. Boca Chica Beach and State Park are often closed during rocket testing and launches. SpaceX is now requesting federal approval to expand launch frequency from five to 25 times per year.
Opponents, including the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, staged another protest on election day, drawing dozens of demonstrators worried about losing access to sacred and recreational areas.
Josette Hinojosa, a local mother attending the protest while her daughter built sandcastles nearby, expressed concern about the beach’s uncertain availability. “Some days it’s closed, and some days you get turned away,” she said.
Christopher Basaldú, a protest organizer and a member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, underscored the cultural and spiritual value of the land. “It’s not just important,” he said. “It’s sacred.”
Legislative Moves Raise Alarm
Among the proposed bills is one that would criminalize failure to obey evacuation orders during launch-related closures, making it a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. has publicly stated that existing cooperation with SpaceX has worked well and sees no need to change beach oversight. Still, the legislative momentum appears to favor expanding Starbase’s municipal powers.
As Elon Musk’s extraterrestrial ambitions take literal ground, the transformation of Starbase into a corporate city has ignited both celebration and concern — a microcosm of the broader debate over private influence on public lands and governance.
