SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has succeeded in transforming an industrial site of his aerospace company in Texas into an official municipality, with 283 employees and affiliates voting overwhelmingly in favour.
The site, a 4km2 area near the Mexican border, officially became Starbase after almost 100% of voters supported the change, and a SpaceX executive will serve as mayor.
This transformation marks a rare success for Musk, who previously headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump but failed to meet its fiscal targets. He is now refocusing on his businesses, including Tesla, which has suffered losses since his involvement with the Trump administration.
The Boca Chica Bay site, operational since 2019, is used for rocket tests and launches. It is located along the Gulf of Mexico, recently termed the Gulf of America during Trump’s second term, and is near the Rio Grande and natural reserves.
A local environmental organisation criticised the transformation, arguing it will cause “only more environmental damage in the region,” including more illegal discharges, dangerous rocket operations, increased seismic activity, and destruction of natural habitats.
Musk proposed the name Starbase after visiting the site four years ago. An application to transform the site was submitted in December, following Trump’s election victory, to Republican authorities in Texas.
SpaceX argued that it already manages the site’s infrastructure, as well as health and education services, and pledged to continue efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
