Elon Musk's SpaceX Rocket Company's residence in South Texas is becoming an official city with the Galaxy name: Starbase.
Saturday’s vote was formally organizing the constellation because a city was approved by a small group of voters who lived there, mostly SpaceX’s Musk employees.
Starbase is the facility and launch site for SpaceX Rocket, a contract with the Department of Defense and NASA, hoping to send astronauts back to the moon and to Mars one day.
Musk first proposed the idea of Starbucks in 2021, and the recognition of the new city is almost certain. Of the 283 qualified voters in the region, most are considered Starbucks workers.
Last November, the election victory of US President Donald Trump was personal to Musk. Since he became the public face of the Trump administration’s federal job and wielding chainsaw wielding public face of spending cuts, billionaires’ popularity has gradually declined, and profits of his Tesla auto company have plummeted.
SpaceX is often supported extensively in the work of local officials and investment in the region.
But establishing a formal corporate town has also attracted critics who fear it will expand Musk’s personal control over the area and potentially close popular beaches and state parks for launch.
Peer efforts to vote on the city include bills from the state legislature that transfers that power from the county to the mayor and city council.
As SpaceX requires federal authorities to permit, the number of launches in South Texas has increased from five to 25 per year.
The city at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border is only about 3.9 square kilometers, crisscrossing and scattered with several roads covered with Airstream trailers and modest mid-century houses.
The beach enters the locals' argument
SpaceX officials barely said the exact statement they wanted a corporate town without responding to an email request for comment.
“We need to be a constellation of a community,” Starbucks general manager Kathryn Lueders wrote to local officials in 2024, asking the city to be issued on the ballot.
The letter said the company has managed roads and utilities and “stipulations for schools and health care services” for people living on the property.
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SpaceX officials told lawmakers that giving cities permission to close beaches would simplify launch operations. SpaceX Rocket launches and engine testing, even just moving certain devices on the launch base, require closing local highways and entering Boca Chica State Park and Boca Chica Beach.
Critics say the Beach Close Authority should remain in the county, which represents a wide population using beaches and parks. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino (Jr.) said the county worked well with SpaceX and no changes were required.
If someone fails to comply with the order to evacuate the beach, another proposed bill will make it a Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days.
The South Texas Environmental Justice Network organized protests against city votes and beach visits, and another demonstration was held Saturday that attracted dozens of people.
Josette Hinojosa's youngest daughter builds a sand castle nearby, and she said she is working to make sure she continues to head to the beach where her family enjoys.
Hinojosa has SpaceX, “Sometimes it’s closed, sometimes you’re turned around.”
Christopher Basaldú, a member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation Dexas tribe, said his ancestors had long encountered the bay in Rio Grande.
“It's not only important, it's also divine,” he said.
