Trivia. Was Elon Musk's Starbase Named After the Star Trek Starbase?
Was SpaceX’s Starbase named after Star Trek’s starbase? Uncover Elon Musk’s aims, explore the sci-fi connection, and discover how SpaceX plans to take humanity to the stars, forging our path to Mars.
At the beginning of 2025, there is no confirmed connection between the Space X Starbase in Texas and Star Trek's Starbase.
The Space X facility in South Texas carries the same name as those famed outposts in Star Trek, but the link is more inspirational than direct.
While Star Trek popularized the term "starbase" for distant hubs of galactic trade, defense, and exploration, Musk's "Starbase" is not an explicit homage. Instead, he chose a name that draws broadly on classic science fiction imagery to reflect his goal of advancing humanity's reach into space.
The name "Starbase" itself dates back to mid-20th-century science fiction, including Robert M. Williams' 1944 short story "Star Base X" in Amazing Stories. In that story, a remote facility supported communication and the beginnings of "star flight."
Later, Star Trek introduced starbases to mainstream audiences as operating centers for Starfleet vessels. Through the years, "starbase" has become a popular term in science fiction for any form of space station or interstellar headquarters.
Musk, who is an avowed sci-fi enthusiast, recognized the resonance of that word. He liked the simple, imaginative appeal of combining "star" and "base," which quickly invites thoughts of future exploration. In early 2021, Musk announced plans to incorporate the area around his Boca Chica operations into a city he would call "Starbase." That move, although not fully realized as a municipal entity, injected a cinematic aura into his Texas launch and production site. So, even if Star Trek made the term famous, SpaceX's Starbase was not directly named as a tribute. It was selected for what it conveys —the idea of being a stepping stone toward the stars.
The Company Behind Starbase
Starbase is no idle namesake. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is developing and testing a fully reusable spacecraft called Starship and its giant booster, Super Heavy, at the Boca Chica facility near Brownsville, Texas.
This work aims to make mankind "multi-planetary," a dream often featured in classic science fiction adventures.
A New Kind of Spaceport
Starbase, located along the Gulf of Mexico, was once a sleepy community. Years ago, the area went by names such as Kennedy Shores and Kopernik Shores. When SpaceX arrived in the early 2010s, it began acquiring land and building out a launch site. Over time, the Starship project took precedence, and the facility now serves as SpaceX's central production and test location for Starship missions.
Towering Ambitions
A signature feature of Starbase is its nearly 480-foot launch and catch tower. Nicknamed the "chopsticks," two massive robotic arms on the tower lift Starship onto its booster and catch the returning rocket —a feat the company has already demonstrated.
This plan serves the larger goal of rapidly reusing key components, reducing costs, and speeding up turnaround between launches.
Commercial Flights and Beyond
Musk has suggested that Starbase could serve as a departure point for commercial flights, much like an airport for future space travelers. Though some might see that idea as far-fetched, it aligns with the spirit of classic science fiction, which often envisions everyday citizens voyaging through the cosmos. Musk and SpaceX hope these early efforts in Texas will ultimately pave the way for missions to the Moon, Mars, and wherever else humanity sets its sights.
Community and Expansion
Starbase is more than a launch complex. Musk has imagined it as a thriving community that would support a wide range of workers—engineers, technicians, and other professionals—who share a vision of America's continued leadership in space. While environmental and legal challenges remain, SpaceX maintains plans to expand infrastructure around Starbase, including housing, offices, and other amenities for the growing workforce.
The Heart of the Name
Classic American science fiction often presented shining stations in orbit or on distant planets as gathering spots for interstellar wayfarers. Elon Musk has captured that same sense of possibility with Starbase. Despite the pop-culture overlap, it was not explicitly borrowed from Star Trek.
Rather, it springs from the broader heritage of science fiction. The label sets a hopeful tone, welcoming both engineers and onlookers to consider what might come next. This enterprise, grounded in practical rocket design and advanced engineering, aims to bring the old dream of cosmic exploration closer to reality.
At the crossroads of fiction and fact, Starbase is a testament to American optimism and determination. If there is one thing we have learned from the golden age of science fiction, it is that with the right spirit—and plenty of hard work —humanity's reach will not be confined to Earth. And that, perhaps, is the real story behind the name.