SpaceX's New City: Starbase, Texas

A group of voters, primarily those working for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, have cast votes to officially form a new city named Starbase in South Texas near Boca Chica Beach.

In Cameron County, Texas, the decision was made with a significant majority to establish Starbase as a city close to SpaceX’s Gulf of Mexico launching site. The Associated Press reported the vote results as 212 in favor, while only 6 opposed.

The decision followed a successful petition effort by February that summoned a vote with 283 eligible participants, reports The Texas Tribune. Recent analysis by The Texas Newsroom revealed that many voters were SpaceX employees, and the forthcoming leadership of Starbase will include individuals with connections to SpaceX.

Elon Musk, who initially mentioned the idea of creating his own company town back in 2021, announced the success of the vote on the platform X before the final tally, stating, 'Starbase is now officially a city.'

With voter approval, SpaceX could potentially exert greater influence over the site. The Texas Tribune highlights that SpaceX currently needs approval from Cameron County authorities to shut down Boca Chica Beach for launches. However, Texas Senate Bill 2188 may alter this. Although the bill does not reference Starbase — since it was not a city at the time it was drafted — it may shift closure authority to municipalities hosting a 'spaceport' within Gulf-adjacent counties.

As the bill progresses through legislative channels, federal oversight of SpaceX seems to be diminishing. Previously, during President Donald Trump’s term, Musk’s DOGE undertook efforts to weaken the reach of federal entities like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulate SpaceX operations.