Elon Musk’s newly inaugurated space city has been handed control over a piece of Boca Chica beach as it expands its influence over the people and environment living near SpaceX’s rocket launch site.

Texas’ Cameron County approved an agreement to hand over parts of the beach to Starbase in late September, granting SpaceX the ability to close the beach at Boca Chica ahead of the 11th test launch of its Starship megarocket, currently set for Monday. The move comes after SpaceX has faced criticism over its frequent rocket launches, which have become increasingly disruptive to both the local community and surrounding wildlife.

Gizmodo has asked both SpaceX and Cameron County for comment.

Closed access

Musk’s dream of turning Starbase into this own city became a reality earlier this year

See Full Page