Texas approves Starbase, new city centered around SpaceX

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US state of Texas has officially approved the establishment of a new city, Starbase, centered around Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX.

The measure passed decisively in a vote held Saturday, establishing a new municipality in the South Texas region that will primarily consist of SpaceX employees and affiliates, NBC News reported.

Voters approved the measure 212 to six -- well above the 143 votes required for incorporation.

“It’s officially statistically impossible for the measure to fail,” said Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza. “Cameron County is about to have a new city.”

Elon Musk, the US tech billionaire, marked the occasion with a celebratory post on X: “Starbase, Texas Is now a real city!”

Soon after the vote, an official X account for the newly formed city was launched.

In its first post, reshared by SpaceX’s official account, the city's account 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."

Starbase is located at the southern tip of the US state of Texas near the Mexican border. It is home to SpaceX’s facilities, where the company manufactures rockets, builds engines, and conducts test launches of its Starship vehicle.

Following the vote, Cameron County commissioners are expected to review the election results within two weeks, according to Garza. A judge will then issue an order officially incorporating the city.

With the formation of Starbase, SpaceX now has its own company town. The city has elected its first mayor, Bobby Pedden, and two commissioners -- all SpaceX employees.

SpaceX has previously sought approval from Cameron County to close highways and restrict access to Boca Chica Beach and the surrounding state park during rocket launches -- a move that has triggered legal challenges and local protests.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino commented: “Right now that authority lies solely within Cameron County and my office, and we think that we’ve proven to be good collaborators and partners with SpaceX.”

He added: “If it’s not broken, it doesn’t need to be fixed.”