The first elected person to hold the position of mayor in Starbase is Bobby Peden, who is the vice president of SpaceX. He will lead alongside two other officials linked to the company, in a process without electoral opposition. The city of Starbase, covering just 3.9 square kilometers, has around 500 inhabitants, most of whom are SpaceX employees. The approval for its incorporation as an independent municipality came after a vote in which 212 people gave their approval and was driven by Elon Musk.
This new municipality in Texas, legally known as a Type C city, will allow Starbase to have autonomy in planning, fiscal systems, and infrastructure, always in accordance with state and federal laws. The main intention of this new city is to allow SpaceX to increase its annual launches from five to 25 while maintaining greater logistical control over its immediate environment.
The foundation process of Starbase is part of Elon Musk's broader strategy to move important operations out of California. The creation of the city has generated certain criticisms and controversies, especially regarding democratic and environmental aspects. Despite around 500 people residing in the area of influence, not everyone participated in the voting process, raising doubts about its legitimacy.
Starbase, unlike other Musk developments in Texas, seems to have been conceived from the outset as a corporate city. This raises questions about how aspects such as private investment, municipal autonomy, and citizen access will be balanced. Additionally, environmental issues related to SpaceX launches have been reported, resulting in fines from regulatory agencies.
Politically, there is a discussion about transferring authority over road closures during rocket launches to Starbase, which has raised concerns about public access to areas like Boca Chica Beach. In turn, the county judge has expressed reservations about ceding such authority to a private company at the expense of public interest.
Since SpaceX began acquiring land in the region in 2012, the area has undergone significant changes. The presence of SpaceX and its affiliated companies has radically transformed the area, generating both economic benefits and environmental criticisms. The city's status will allow Starbase to exercise control over administrative aspects and could provide SpaceX with greater operational flexibility in its activities.
