SpaceX founds its own city: manager becomes mayor

The area around the SpaceX Starbase launch site in south Texas was officially declared a city by a vote on Saturday – also named Starbase.

According to the results published online by the Cameron County Board of Elections, 212 people voted in favor and only six against. On his social media platform X, Musk announced: “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!” This development marks an unusual step in American local politics, where a private company is instrumental in the creation of a municipality.

Residents of the new urban area, most of whom are believed to be SpaceX employees, also elected a city government on Saturday: SpaceX Vice President of Test and Launch Bobby Peden was elected mayor.

Background to the founding of the city

Although SpaceX did not release detailed information about why it was seeking to establish a standalone city, the company stated that it already manages the roads, utilities, and “the provision of schooling and medical care.”

An important strategic aspect appears to be control over local resources: SpaceX is seeking to transfer authority from the county government to the new city government in order to close nearby Boca Chica Beach and the state park for rocket launches. This would give the company more flexibility in its launch activities.

The city foundation is part of Musk’s broader strategy to relocate his company activities from California to Texas. Last year, Musk announced that he would move the SpaceX headquarters from El Segundo, California, to the Starbase facility in Texas.

The new city community seems to have a clear vision for its role in the space industry. After yesterday’s election, a new X account representing the town posted: “Becoming a town will help us build the best possible community for the men and women who are shaping humanity’s future in space. “The development of Starbase could provide a model for future “company towns” in the space sector, but they will also be viewed with a critical eye.