These rockets are part of plans to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually put humans on Mars.
A Personal Win Amid Broader Scrutiny
The vote marks a personal victory for Musk, whose public image has taken a hit since his alignment with DOGE which has been making federal job and spending cuts under President Donald Trump.
The violent attacks on Tesla have created a sharp drop in that company’s profits.
Despite the controversy, local officials have mostly supported SpaceX, citing the thousands of jobs and economic growth the company has brought to South Texas.
Still, the idea of a company town has raised eyebrows. Critics fear that formal cityhood could give Musk greater control over public spaces like Boca Chica Beach and State Park, which are often closed during launches.
Power Struggles Over Beach Access and Launch Authority
In conjunction with the city vote, bills in the Texas Legislature seek to transfer authority over beach closures from Cameron County to the new Starbase government. This would allow SpaceX to streamline launch operations that require the temporary closure of roads and public beaches.
