Elon Musk has received approval to build a new city in a U.S. state, supporting his long-term vision to colonize Mars.
Elon Musk has achieved a significant milestone by winning a vote to create his own city in Texas.
This new city will be called Starbase and is part of Musk’s broader plan to eventually colonize Mars.
The vote was held among local residents, many of whom work for his company, SpaceX.
Musk moved SpaceX’s headquarters to Texas.
Earlier this year, Musk moved SpaceX’s headquarters from California to Texas.
His decision was influenced by disagreements with California’s laws, particularly those related to gender identity.
With the move, Musk now has plans to develop the area around SpaceX’s launch site into a fully functioning city.
Starbase already serves as the launch site for SpaceX’s rockets, which have contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.
The goal is to further space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars.
Elon Musk wins approval to build a city in a U.S. state as part of his Mars colonization plan
The vote to establish Starbase as a city was overwhelmingly in favor, with 173 residents voting yes and only 4 voting no out of 283 eligible voters.
This strong support reflects the community’s connection to SpaceX and its operations.
As part of this new city governance, Bobby Peden has been appointed as the first mayor, along with two city commissioners, Jenna Petrzelka and Jordan Buss.
Notably, all three are current or former employees of SpaceX.
After the vote, Musk expressed his excitement on Twitter, announcing that Starbase is now officially recognized as a city.
Starbase said city status boosts efforts to build space-focused community.
Starbase wrote in a separate post: “Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity’s place in space.”
Musk first mentioned the idea of Starbase back in 2021, and with this vote, his vision is now moving closer to reality.
The establishment of the city could provide more resources and infrastructure to support the needs of SpaceX employees and their families.
Social media reactions
While many are excited about the new city, there are also concerns. Some critics worry that Musk’s control over the area could expand significantly.
With the new mayor and city council, there are fears that local governance might shift to favor Musk’s interests.
Some reports suggest that the city could acquire popular local destinations, including a beach and a state park, to facilitate more rocket launches.
This has raised alarms among residents who cherish these public spaces.
One user said: He should colonize Uranus first
The second user wrote: Then they are going to record it and pretend it was recorded on Mars
The third user said: I’m guessing he watched the series Paradise and believes it can be done. Probably expects all those kids he has to populate it
The fourth user said: I guess we know where all the money from the cuts are going.
Another user said: He probably fixed the voting results like he did the presidential election.
Future plans for Starbase
SpaceX has plans to increase its rocket launches in South Texas from five to twenty-five per year.
This expansion requires federal approval, but it indicates Musk’s intention to make Starbase a central hub for space activity.
Last year, Kathryn Lueders, the General Manager of Starbase, wrote to local officials to advocate for making the city issue a priority on the ballot.
She emphasized that Starbase already manages essential infrastructure like roads, utilities, schools, and medical facilities for residents.
Despite some controversies surrounding Musk and his ventures, many believe that SpaceX has had a positive impact on the local economy.
The company has created numerous jobs and attracted investment to the area. However, Musk’s popularity has faced challenges recently.
His close association with controversial political figures and initiatives has led to protests against his other businesses, such as Tesla.