SpaceX Starbase Denied Control Of The Boca Chica Beach

A few months ago, SpaceX Starbase requested control of the beach close to its launch site in Texas, but lawmakers voted against this request. This decision means that the US space firm owned by Elon Musk will not be able to control the roads leading to the Texas beach during rocket launches.

SpaceX Starbase Denied Control Of Texas Beach

Previously, we reported on SpaceX’s Starbase desire to become a municipal city, hence giving it the ability to close down the Texas beach during rocket launches. Currently, the control of this beach and the roads leading up to it is left to Cameron County, which presides over the area.

While votes to make SpaceX Starbase a municipal city are ongoing, Texas lawmakers have decided on the control of the region’s beach. This decision by the Texas House State Affairs Committee doesn’t spell doom for SpaceX’s desire to control access to the area during rocket launches.

The votes to make SpaceX Starbase a municipal city might still give the space firm control of the beach. For now, Elon Musk’s company will need to call on Cameron County if it needs to launch a rocket from its Starbase.

In turn, Cameron County will close the beach and all roads leading to it to ensure that residents stay out of harm’s way during the launch. But why does SpaceX Starbase desire control of the Texas beach, as well as the roads leading up to it?

Here’s Why SpaceX Starbase Wants Control Of The Texas Beach

The decision by the Texas House State Affairs Committee against SpaceX Starbase controlling the beach came on 28 April 2025.

Over the past months, there have been a ton of complaints against Starbase over its frequent rocket launches. By controlling access to the territory, Starbase believes that it’ll be able to influence these complaints.

The space firm has plans to launch lots of rockets over the coming months. This means that there might be a rise in these complaints, and the space firm still hopes that it will gain control of the region’s beach.
But is the issue relating to who controls the beach or the pollution that Starbase generates with each rocket launch? Some might argue that SpaceX is focusing on the wrong thing, as it can work to reduce the noise and environmental pollution that its Starbase launch site generates.