Elon Musk's Starbase wants to expand in south Texas
SpaceX's city of Starbase in south Texas is seeking to annex 7,100 acres of surrounding land to support its growing rocket manufacturing and launch operations. Local environmental advocates express concern over the rapid industrialization and colonization of the area near the Gulf of Mexico.
Why it matters
The expansion of private space infrastructure raises significant questions about land use, environmental impact, and the influence of private corporations on local governance.
STARBASE, Texas — On a scorching August afternoon in south Texas, Bekah Hinojosa, the co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Center, blasts the A/C in her car.
As she drives down Highway 4 towards Boca Chica Beach, large 18-wheelers and silver glistening Cybertrucks zoom past her on the opposite lane.
"This road is always under construction," said Hinojosa. "SpaceX is rapidly colonizing and changing the entire landscape of Boca Chica."
Very soon the newly created city of Starbase, and Elon Musk's SpaceX, could change this area by the Gulf of Mexico, even more. This city was established in 2025 and is now asking its residents to consider annexing around 7,100 acres of surrounding land, including state and private property.
The city was created, in part, as a way to help grow its SpaceX workforce and increase its capacity for developing, and the manufacturing needed for more rocket launches.
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