The city of Starbase, Texas, is considering a proposal to annex approximately 7,100 acres of surrounding state and private land. The newly incorporated city, established in 2025, serves as the primary base for Elon Musk’s SpaceX operations and is currently seeking to expand its territory to accommodate manufacturing and workforce growth.
Starbase was created to support SpaceX’s development of the Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicles, which are intended for missions to the moon and Mars. In April 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized an increase in activity at the site, allowing for up to 25 annual orbital launches and 50 total landings of the Starship and Super Heavy components.
The annexation plan has drawn opposition from local activists and private landowners, who cite concerns over environmental impacts and the relationship between city leadership and SpaceX. According to city documents, Starbase officials state the expansion would improve coordination with federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. However, critics like Bekah Hinojosa of the South Texas Environmental Justice Center point to past incidents, including an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding in 2024 that SpaceX violated the Clean Water Act by discharging industrial wastewater.
Landowners and residents would notice changes in land use authority and road access, as Starbase already controls access to the nearby Boca Chica Beach and a nature reserve during launch events. Activists report that launches have resulted in metal debris and shrapnel being scattered onto surrounding properties. A legal precedent is also at play, as Cameron County Commissioner Sofia Benavides noted that state law allows the city to expand, limiting the county's ability to intervene.
The annexation process is moving toward a final decision in the coming weeks. Starbase set a deadline of August 18 to receive feedback from impacted landowners to determine if the legal requirements for signatures have been met. If the city proceeds, it is required to hold two public hearings before a final vote scheduled for September 2026. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network is currently evaluating legal options to challenge the plan.