Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket facility in South Texas has officially been designated as the city of Starbase, following a decisive vote by the local population, mainly comprising SpaceX employees. The results were overwhelmingly in favour, with 212 votes for and only 6 against, as reported by the Cameron County Elections Department.
Musk took to his social media platform, X, to celebrate the formation of Starbase, proclaiming it a “real city.” Starbase serves as the launch site for SpaceX’s operations, which involve partnerships with the Department of Defence and NASA, particularly in missions aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon and exploring Mars.
The initiative to create Starbase was initially proposed by Musk in 2021, and with 283 eligible voters primarily being SpaceX staff, passage was anticipated. This electoral success is significant for Musk, who has faced a decline in public support amidst controversies, including heavy public scrutiny regarding Tesla’s profitability and his involvement in federal job and spending cuts during the Trump administration.
While local officials generally support SpaceX due to the economic benefits it brings, the establishment of a company town has raised concerns among critics. They fear that it will increase Musk’s control over the area, potentially leading to the closure of popular public beaches and parks for rocket launches. SpaceX has now sought to enhance its operational authority by pushing for state legislation that would empower the new city’s mayor and council, particularly concerning the ability to close public spaces during launches.
Starbase, located near the Texas-Mexico border, covers a modest area, and is described as populated with airstream trailers and simple homes. SpaceX has not elaborated on the specific reasons for pursuing official city status, but local officials received a letter from Starbase’s General Manager requesting to have the city issue placed on the ballot, citing existing management of roads, utilities, and community services for residents.
The move to grant the new city authority to close nearby beaches is seen by SpaceX as a means to streamline operations. However, critics argue that such decisions should remain with the county government, which represents a larger constituency that uses the beach. Recent protests against the city vote highlight local opposition, with demonstrators advocating to keep the beaches accessible to the community. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network, leading these protests, aims to protect public access to lands they regard as sacred, citing ancestral ties to the region.
In summary, the birth of Starbase as a city raises complex discussions about control, public space management, and the balance between corporate interests and community rights in South Texas.