SpaceX's South Texas rocket facility has been officially incorporated as the city of Starbase after residents overwhelmingly approved the measure in a local vote held this Saturday. 

The newly formed city, located near the Mexico border, will oversee an area of about 1.5 square miles where SpaceX conducts rocket launches and tests for its NASA and Defense Department contracts, including missions aimed at returning astronauts to the moon and eventually reaching Mars, according to a recent report by AP News on the matter.  

As per the report, the incorporation passed with 212 votes in favour and only 6 against. Most eligible voters in the area are believed to be SpaceX employees. The move allows Starbase to establish its own local government, including a mayor and city council, rather than relying on Cameron County for services. SpaceX already manages infrastructure like roads, utilities, schooling, and medical care for residents in the area.  

The change comes alongside legislative efforts in Texas to transfer authority over beach and park closures from the county to Starbase's new government, explains the report. SpaceX has requested expanded launch capabilities, seeking federal permission to increase annual launches from 5 to 25. Currently, rocket tests and launches require closures of a nearby highway and public beach access, a point of contention for local residents and environmental groups.  

Critics argue that shifting control of beach closures to a city dominated by SpaceX employees could limit public access to Boca Chica Beach and State Park. Some protesters, including members of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, oppose the move, citing concerns over restricted access to land with cultural and recreational significance.  

SpaceX has not detailed all its reasons for pursuing city status, but company officials have stated that local governance would help streamline operations as the facility expands, adds the AP News report. The transition marks another step in Elon Musk's long-term vision for Starbase, first proposed in 2021, as a hub for SpaceX's ambitious space exploration programs.  

The Texas Legislature is also considering a bill that would impose misdemeanour charges, including possible jail time, for violating evacuation orders during launch operations, further adds the report.