Starbase is a city comprised of SpaceX facilities in and around the Boca Chica village in South Texas. including the residential areas. It is their main development facility for the Starship program and has gone through major upgrades and development. The site consists of several areas such as a launch site, a build site, the village itself and the Massey Outpost.
-> For an overview of the site, see Boca Chica Site Overview.
In December 2024, SpaceX has submitted a request to make Starbase an official city.[1][2] Also, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX headquarters would be in Starbase.[3] The City of Starbase was incorporated by 212 votes to 6 on May 3rd Cameron County Joint Elections with SpaceX's Bobby Peden unanimously elected as mayor by 216 votes to 0.[4]
History[]
The concept of the city of Starbase in the area of Boca Chica, Texas, was introduced by Elon Musk in a tweet on March 2nd, 2021: "Creating the city of Starbase, Texas"[5]. He made clear that this would include an area much bigger than Boca Chica[6]. Cameron county later released the following statement:
"In the last few days, Cameron County was officially approached by SpaceX regarding Elon Musk's interest to incorporate BocaChica Village into the City of Starbase, Texas. Earlier today Cameron County Commission Court was informed of SpaceX's endeavor. 'If SpaceX and Elon Musk would like to pursue down this path, they must abide by all state incorporation statutes. Cameron County will process any appropriate petitions in conformity with applicable law,' stated Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr."[7]
On 30 March 2021, Musk stated that Starbase will grow significantly in the coming year and promoted people to move to the area: "Please consider moving to Starbase or greater Brownsville/South Padre area in Texas & encourage friends to do so! SpaceX’s hiring needs for engineers, technicians, builders & essential support personnel of all kinds are growing rapidly."[8]
"Starbase will grow by several thousand people over the next year or two"[9]
Possibly within the same plans, Elon Musk announced on the same day that he would be donating to Cameron County and Brownsville:
"Am donating $20M to Cameron County schools & $10M to City of Brownsville for downtown revitalization. Details to follow next week."[10]
In December 2024, SpaceX has submitted a request to make Starbase an official city.[1][2] Also, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX headquarters would be in Starbase.[3] The City of Starbase was incorporated by 212 votes to 6 on May 3rd Cameron County Joint Elections with SpaceX's Bobby Peden unanimously elected as mayor by 216 votes to 0. Jenna Petrzelka was elected commissioner with 188 votes, ahead of Jordan Buss, who received 177 votes. [4]
Economic Impact[]
According to an announcement of Cameron County Judge's Office in June 2024, "SpaceX's latest economic stats reveal significant investments in Cameron County. SpaceX's vision, including the ambitious Starship spacecraft project, has driven major economic growth in recent years."[11]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://x.com/PhotogDina/status/1867303261184655719
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://x.com/jessica_kirsh/status/1867375268936982742
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1867382483714502670
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/camerontxenr/38/en/Index_38.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1366848696298561536
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1366859619461570561
- ↑ https://www.cameroncounty.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3.2.21-SpaceX-Incorporation-Inquiry.pdf
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1376901399867441156
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1376908285677297671
- ↑ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1376903913564160002
- ↑ https://twitter.com/SheriffGarza/status/1803089804768223543 (18 June 2024)