The town is real. With a vote count of 173 to 4, the people — most of them connected to SpaceX — have spoken. Elon Musk’s vision from back in 2021 to create a private city named “Starbase” has officially crossed from science fiction into legal fact.
Just 143 votes were needed for the measure to pass. The result wasn’t close. And just like that, a corporate launch site has been reborn as an incorporated city.
Musk’s Space Playground Gets Its Own Zip Code
Starbase isn’t just a name anymore. It’s a 1.5-square-mile city sitting on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, right where Texas kisses the Mexican border.
What makes this more than just a paperwork shuffle is the authority this new city now has. The same folks launching rockets? They’re calling shots as city officials. Bobby Pedden — a SpaceX insider — is now mayor. Two other SpaceX employees, Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka, have been installed as city commissioners. They didn’t face any challengers.
That’s not a coincidence.
This Isn’t Just a Town — It’s a Company Town
SpaceX already runs nearly everything inside the area — roads, power, schools, even healthcare. Now, they’ve got something better than access: control.
And here’s where it gets real:
SpaceX has long required temporary shutdowns of State Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach during engine tests or launches. Under the old rules, the company had to go through Cameron County for permission.
But now?
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The new city council — made up of company employees — can greenlight those closures themselves.
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Companion bills in the Texas Legislature may soon cement that power further, even threatening jail time for people who refuse to evacuate during launches.
That could mean fewer hoops for Musk’s team to jump through. And a lot more headaches for locals.
Voter Base: Tight-Knit, Tied to SpaceX
The election wasn’t huge in size, but it was decisive. Of the 283 eligible voters, the overwhelming majority had a direct tie to the company — employees, contractors, or people living on SpaceX-owned property.
One election official called it a statistical lock days before final results were in. That’s how one-sided it was.
One paragraph. One sentence. It really was that lopsided.
Still, critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent: allowing private corporations to form what is essentially their own government.
Why the Timing Matters
This victory arrives just as Musk is weathering some turbulent headlines.
Tesla, once a market darling, is struggling with slumping demand and steep competition. Meanwhile, Musk’s federal role leading the Department of Government Efficiency — DOGE, for short — has made him a polarizing figure in Washington. The department has pushed aggressive job cuts across several federal agencies.
So, while Starbase is framed as a win, it may also be a much-needed reprieve.
For Musk, it’s symbolic: a reminder that no matter what happens on Wall Street or Capitol Hill, he still gets things done.
The Numbers Behind Starbase’s Ambitions
While critics accuse SpaceX of power grabbing, the company’s ambitions at Starbase are far from hidden. They’re looking to ramp up — significantly.
Here’s how the current and proposed launch schedule stacks up:
| Launches at Starbase | Current Limit | Proposed Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Launches | 5 | 25 |
| Beach Closures | Must request from county | Could be decided by city officials |
Environmental and Indigenous groups aren’t staying quiet either. Groups like the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network have promised to push back hard. They see the shift as erasing the public’s voice in favor of private interest.
The Road Ahead: Rockets and Resistance
Elon Musk didn’t waste time celebrating. He posted on X, “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!” with his usual flare. But while Musk is popping champagne emojis, activists are raising flags.
Public beach access remains a legal gray area. And state lawmakers are weighing bills that would tilt power even further toward Starbase leadership.
Then there’s the question of precedent. If SpaceX can turn its launch site into a city, what stops Amazon or Google from doing the same?
That’s what some Texans — and not just environmentalists — are starting to ask.
