Starbase, located in South Texas, is SpaceX’s hub for building and launching its massive Starship rockets. The site, situated at Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border, has been pivotal for the company’s ambitious space exploration projects.
SpaceX is now pursuing a new mission: transforming Starbase into an incorporated Texas city. On Thursday, the company sent a letter to local officials requesting an election to formalize the area’s city status. The petition, submitted by residents of the Starbase community, aims to support the site’s rapid development.
Elon Musk previously hinted at this vision in 2021, stating plans to create “the city of Starbase, Texas.” This initiative aligns with Musk’s broader move to shift SpaceX and other ventures, like his social media platform X, from California to Texas.
Kathryn Lueders, Starbase’s general manager, emphasized the importance of community growth to sustain the workforce needed for advancing Starship production. She appealed to Cameron County officials to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley.
Despite SpaceX’s expansion, local opposition has emerged. Earlier this year, the group Save RGV filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, citing environmental concerns. SpaceX countered these claims, referencing a state review that found no risks, dismissing the lawsuit as unfounded.
