SpaceX is taking steps to gain official city status for its Starbase facility in South Texas.
On December 12, the aerospace company submitted a petition to local government officials, aiming to initiate an election for the incorporation of the Starbase launch site as an independent city.
Located near Boca Chica, Texas, the Starbase facility has played a crucial role in numerous significant SpaceX launches, including the recent successful catch of a Starship rocket.
This site is also set to become SpaceX’s new headquarters after the company moves from California to Texas.
Petition for Incorporation
In the petition, SpaceX underscored the need to develop a community to support its growing workforce focused on the rapid advancement and production of the Starship program.
The company asserted the necessity of designating Starbase as a city to facilitate growth.
A request was made to Cameron County to hold an election to approve Starbase as the latest city in the Rio Grande Valley.
The petition was delivered to Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr., who is the highest elected official in the county.
The process now involves a review of the petition to ensure legal compliance before scheduling a date for the incorporation vote.
Role of Starbase in SpaceX
Starbase serves as the primary location for SpaceX’s Starship test flights, demonstrating the company’s innovative reusable rocket technology.
The most recent flight, conducted on November 19, was the sixth of the Starship vehicle, which executed its first in-space burn of a Raptor engine for deorbiting.
Another test flight is planned for January 2025, during which SpaceX aims to attempt a booster recovery at the launch site.
The workforce at Starbase consists of thousands of employees, with several hundred residing on-site.
SpaceX highlighted the positive economic contributions of the facility, noting that it generates significant income and tax revenue for local businesses and government.
Given the remote nature of the launch site, SpaceX has assisted in managing local infrastructure such as roads and utilities, in addition to providing support for education and healthcare in the surrounding community through partnerships with county officials.
Vision for the Future
The company envisions that Starship missions will greatly enhance global access to space and aims to position the Starbase launch area as the Gateway to Mars, as indicated in their petition.
The idea of incorporating Starbase isn’t new; it was previously suggested by SpaceX founder Elon Musk on social media in 2021.
However, a formal petition was only submitted after receiving support from local people on December 12.
SpaceX officials contend that establishing Starbase as a city will enable the development of essential amenities, making the area more appealing for both current residents and prospective new employees who wish to contribute to humanity’s future in space.
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