Elon Musk’s Bold Plan to Build a SpaceX City Just Got the Green Light — You Won’t Believe What’s Next!

Elon Musk’s exciting dream of turning his SpaceX launch site into a real city has officially come true! On Saturday, people living around the SpaceX rocket site in South Texas voted to make the area a brand-new city called Starbase. This is a big moment not only for Musk but also for space fans all over the world.

Big Vote, Big Win for Starbase

When the polls closed at 7 p.m., Cameron County officials shared great news — early voters had shown huge support for creating the City of Starbase. By the end of the night, the results were clear: 212 people voted yes, and only 6 voted no. That’s a massive win for Musk and his team.

Once the county officially certifies the results, Starbase will officially become a city. Musk celebrated the win on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), by posting one simple but powerful word: “S T A R B A S E.”

A Quiet Night After the Vote

Even though this was a historic moment, the night in Starbase was surprisingly quiet. The day had been rainy and gray, and there were no big parties, fireworks, or parades. A few SpaceX employees gathered at the Astropub, a local hangout spot, but most of the town stayed calm.

Only 283 people were allowed to vote in this election because they live within the proposed city’s boundaries. A local analysis showed that about two-thirds of these voters either work for SpaceX or had already expressed their support. Interestingly, the three people running to lead the city all have ties to SpaceX, too.

It’s still unknown whether Elon Musk, who lives there, actually voted in the election.

What Makes Starbase Special?

Unlike most big tech campuses in places like Silicon Valley, SpaceX’s Starbase is located on the edge of Texas, near Brownsville. This remote area was once an old beach village called Boca Chica Village, but nearly all the homes there now belong to SpaceX.

Musk has been open about wanting to turn this area into a city for years. Earlier this year, enough SpaceX employees signed a petition to push for a vote, and now that vote has passed. The new city will have about 500 official residents.

Why Create a City?

According to Starbase leaders, making the area an official city will help it grow faster and give them better control over things like roads, utilities, and housing. They also plan to set up more flexible zoning laws, making it easier to build new homes for current and future workers.

Kathryn Lueders, Starbase’s manager, explained it perfectly: “Incorporating Starbase will help us build the amenities needed to make this a world-class place to live — not just for the people already here but also for those who want to help us build humanity’s future in space.”

The Bigger Picture: Rockets and Mars

Starbase is not just any city — it’s home to Starship, the massive rocket Musk hopes will one day take humans to Mars. With Starbase now becoming a city, SpaceX will also need to follow Texas state laws, like holding open meetings and sharing public records, which could bring more transparency to its operations.

Boca Chica Beach: A Point of Concern

While some people are excited about Starbase, others are worried — especially about Boca Chica Beach, which sits right next to the launch site. This beach is a favorite local spot where people fish, camp, and drive on the sand dunes.

Since SpaceX arrived, the beach has been closed off during rocket tests, making it less accessible. SpaceX wants approval to increase its launches from about five to 25 times a year, which could lead to even more closures.

Who Decides on Beach Closures?

Right now, Cameron County officials decide when to close the beach for safety. But a new bill moving through the Texas Legislature could change that. If passed, the bill would give Starbase city officials the power to decide on weekday closures. The bill has already passed the Texas Senate and is awaiting a vote in the House.

State Senator Adam Hinojosa, who introduced the bill, says the goal is to make the process smoother. However, local leaders disagree, saying they’ve worked well with SpaceX so far and see no reason to change the system.

Local Voices and Protests

Not everyone is thrilled about the new city. On Saturday afternoon, a group of environmentalists, indigenous leaders, and local fishermen gathered at Boca Chica Beach to protest. They carried signs and even brought an Elon Musk piñata to show their frustration.

Juan Mancias, chair of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, shared his concern: “These hills are sacred to us. They don’t know the history of the land, and they’re trying to erase that.”

Rene Medrano, a local fisherman, added, “It’s just such a disgrace. People are starting to raise their voices, and that’s what we need.”

What’s Next for Starbase?

Now that Starbase is set to become an official city, it will face both exciting opportunities and important challenges. While Musk’s team focuses on building rockets and pushing the limits of space exploration, they will also need to work with local residents to protect the land and the beach they all share.

This historic vote marks a major step forward for Musk’s vision, but the story of Starbase is just beginning. The world will be watching closely to see how this unique city balances big dreams with local needs.