X owner Musk wins vote to create own futuristic city

Elon Musk's dream of building a futuristic city has taken a major step forward with the official incorporation of Starbase, Texas.

On May 3, 2025, residents of the Boca Chica area—most of them SpaceX employees—voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal, with 212 out of 283 eligible voters supporting the move and only 6 opposing it.

Located near the U.S.–Mexico border, Starbase has long served as the launch site for SpaceX’s ambitious Starship rocket program.

Now, with its official city status, it will operate as an independent municipality with full authority to govern itself, enact ordinances, manage zoning laws, and oversee infrastructure projects.

Bobby Peden, Vice President of Test and Launch Operations at SpaceX, was elected unopposed as the first mayor of Starbase.

Commissioners Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka, also SpaceX-affiliated, will join him in shaping the new city's future.

The incorporation allows SpaceX to pursue broader goals, including the possible transfer of control over public areas like Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4 from Cameron County to the new city.

These changes are intended to streamline rocket testing and future spaceflight operations.

Musk celebrated the news with a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "Starbase, Texas is now a real city!"

He has long envisioned Starbase as a model community designed to support his long-term goals of colonizing Mars and pushing the boundaries of human exploration.

However, not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Environmental groups and members of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe have voiced concerns about restricted public access to culturally and ecologically sensitive areas.

They also worry about the environmental impact of intensified rocket activity.

Despite the controversy, Starbase is now officially on the map—and Elon Musk has taken another bold step toward reshaping both Earth and space.