Billionaire Elon Musk‘s SpaceX has taken a formal step toward transforming its South Texas Starship launch site, known as Starbase, into an incorporated city.
In a letter sent Thursday to officials, the company requested an election to approve the incorporation. SpaceX stated that the petition had been submitted by residents of the area currently identified as Starbase.
Where Is Starbase Located?
The area, located at Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border, sits at the southernmost tip of Texas. Earlier this year, Musk revealed plans to relocate the headquarters of SpaceX and his social media company, X, from California to Texas.
The Starbase site currently employs more than 3,400 full-time SpaceX workers and contractors, according to an impact study released by Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. earlier this year.
Brandon Bell/AP
What Are Elon Musk’s Plans?
Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, wrote in a letter to the county “To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The idea of transforming Starbase into its own city isn’t new. Musk first floated the concept in 2021 with a simple social media post stating, “Creating the city of Starbase, Texas.”
Treviño confirmed that while the idea was discussed two years ago, this marks the first time an official petition for incorporation has been filed.
“Our legal and elections administration will review the petition, see whether or not it complied with all of the statutory requirements and then we’ll go from there,” Treviño said on Thursday.
Eric Gay/AP
What Do Texans Think of the SpaceX Starbase?
SpaceX’s rapid growth in the region has sparked resistance from some residents. In July, the group Save RGV filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging environmental violations, including dumping polluted water into the nearby bay.
SpaceX dismissed the claims, citing a state review that found no environmental risks and labeling the lawsuit “frivolous.”
Eric Gay/AP
Is Trump Involved in SpaceX?
President-elect Donald Trump visited South Texas in November to join Musk in witnessing the launch of SpaceX’s Starship rocket.
While the launch was deemed a success, SpaceX chose not to attempt catching the booster with its large mechanical arms as originally planned. The attempt was aborted four minutes into the test flight for unspecified reasons, and the booster subsequently landed in the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot explained that the flight director opted against returning the booster to the launch site because the criteria for the catch were not met, though he did not elaborate on the specifics.
Does Musk Support Trump?
Musk endorsed Trump for president earlier this year. Musk’s super PAC gained attention for holding a $1 million daily giveaway aimed at registered voters in key swing states.
After endorsing the GOP presidential nominee, Musk contributed millions of his own funds to pro-Trump super PACs and made appearances alongside Trump at campaign rallies.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
