In a symbolic and extraordinary move, the area surrounding SpaceX’s rocket launch site in South Texas has officially become a city named Starbase — which translates to “base of the stars” in Arabic. The transition was approved by a sweeping vote: 212 in favor and only 6 against, out of 283 eligible voters, the majority of whom are SpaceX employees or affiliates.
The newly formed city lies along the southern U.S.–Mexico border in Cameron County, within the coastal region of Boca Chica. Most of the land is owned by SpaceX or its workers, and the area’s formal incorporation had been anticipated for some time. Elon Musk, who first introduced the concept of “Starbase” in 2021, celebrated the decision on X, saying, “It is now a real city!” He also shared a sentimental post showing an early photo of him with a shovel at the groundbreaking alongside a recent image of the now-developed Starbase headquarters.
But Starbase is far from just a symbolic name. It’s a major launch site for some of SpaceX’s most ambitious projects, including contracts with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense to return astronauts to the Moon — and, eventually, to Mars. The company has also requested federal approval to increase annual launch activity from five missions to twenty-five, underscoring the facility’s importance to Musk’s long-term vision.
Musk Celebrates His Dream Come True
Musk’s ambitions for Starbase go beyond aerospace. A statement from the newly formed city said, “Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity’s place in space.” After more than a decade of investing in the region, SpaceX considers the site to already function as a city, providing roads, medical services, and schools. In a 2024 letter, SpaceX general manager Kathryn Lueders wrote, “We need the ability to grow Starbase as a community.”
Starbase started with one shovel https://t.co/jwUfNQFHbx
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 4, 2025
Opposition and Warnings
Despite the overwhelming support, the decision has not been without opposition. Critics argue that creating the city gives Elon Musk excessive control, particularly over public access to the nearby Boca Chica State Park beach. SpaceX is seeking legal authority to close the beach during launches — a power that currently belongs to the county. Texas lawmakers are now debating bills that would transfer this authority to Starbase officials, along with new legislation proposing fines and jail time for residents who refuse to evacuate during closures.
Environmental and indigenous rights groups have also voiced concerns. On voting day, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network staged a protest, warning that the city’s formation could pave the way for further privatization of natural resources.
Some long-time residents have expressed frustration over how SpaceX has dealt with the local community. “SpaceX bullied us from the beginning,” said Celia Johnson, who claimed the company repeatedly attempted to buy her home. She also pointed to a 2021 rocket test explosion that scattered debris and took three months to clean up, in addition to multiple violations reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Still, the decision has officially gone into effect. Bobby Peden, SpaceX’s Vice President of Testing and Launches, received 100% of early votes and has become the first mayor of Starbase, running unopposed.
In the end, Starbase represents a one-of-a-kind fusion of private ambition and public governance — a frontier city with its eyes quite literally set on the stars. Whether it becomes a model of innovation or a cautionary tale of corporate power remains to be seen. Only time will tell.
