The U.S. government is in discussions with SpaceX over a proposed land swap that would allow the company to expand rocket launch operations near its Starbase facility in South Texas.
Under the proposal, SpaceX would gain nearly 800 acres of federally protected land near the Boca Chica launch site in exchange for about 692 acres of land it owns elsewhere.
The talks involve land adjacent to SpaceX’s rapidly growing Starbase complex, which has become central to the company’s testing and launch plans. Federal officials say the proposal is still under review and has not been finalized.
The land SpaceX is seeking includes environmentally sensitive areas managed by the federal government, raising questions about conservation and historical protections in the region. Any agreement would require multiple levels of approval and environmental review before moving forward.
SpaceX has steadily expanded its South Texas footprint in recent years as it ramps up testing of its Starship rocket system, which is designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. The proposed land exchange would give the company more room to support launch operations, safety zones, and infrastructure.
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