Elon Musk is reinforcing his commitment to Texas by announcing plans to relocate SpaceX’s headquarters from Hawthorne, California to Texas.
In addition, Musk revealed intentions to move the headquarters of his social media platform X from San Francisco to Austin, Texas, where Tesla, another of his companies, is already based. The new SpaceX headquarters will be in Starbase, where a significant Starship manufacturing and testing site is already in operation.
Musk cited safety concerns as a driving force behind the decision, expressing frustration with the challenges of navigating through dangerous situations in California. The recent passing of a California bill regulating disclosure of student information without consent was also a factor influencing Musk’s choice to relocate.
This decision echoes Tesla’s previous announcement of relocating its headquarters to Texas in 2021, although the company still maintains a presence in California through its assembly plant in Fremont. SpaceX had already transitioned its state of incorporation to Texas earlier this year, a response to a legal ruling regarding Musk’s compensation package.
Since moving into the former Northrop Corporation plant in 2007, SpaceX has expanded its facilities to over 1 million square feet in Southern California, a region known for its aerospace industry. X, formerly Twitter, has been based in San Francisco since its founding in 2006.
The implications of these moves for both companies remain uncertain, especially considering the significant operations housed in their current California headquarters. However, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas expressed approval of Musk’s decision, touting the state as a leading hub for space exploration.
