Last mentioned: Mar 6, 2026
Supreme Court Review
The Texas Supreme Court takes up the case to provide a final ruling on constitutionality.
Supreme Court Review
The Texas Supreme Court officially agrees to hear the case regarding beach closure legality.
Supreme Court Hearing
The Texas Supreme Court hears oral arguments regarding the beach closure challenge.
Appellate Ruling
Lower courts uphold the closure authority, leading to an appeal by environmental groups.
Appeals Court Ruling
The 13th Court of Appeals reinstates the lawsuit after a lower court dismissal.
Lawsuit Filed
Save RGV and other groups sue the Texas GLO and SpaceX over beach closures.
Lawsuit Filed
Environmental groups and residents file suit challenging the constitutionality of beach closures.
Testing Intensifies
Starship prototype testing begins, leading to more frequent public access restrictions.
Starbase Groundbreaking
SpaceX begins construction of the Boca Chica launch site in South Texas.
Starbase Groundbreaking
SpaceX breaks ground on its Boca Chica launch site.
Legislative Amendment
Texas Legislature passes HB 2623, allowing beach closures for space flight activities.
SB 985 Passed
Texas legislature passes a law allowing beach closures for spaceflight activities in Cameron County.
Legislative Amendment
Texas Legislature amends Natural Resources Code to allow beach closures for spaceflight.
Constitutional Amendment
Texas voters approve Proposition 9, enshrining beach access in the state constitution.
Open Beaches Amendment
Texas voters approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing public access to state beaches.
The Texas Supreme Court is deliberating a high-stakes challenge to the legality of beach closures surrounding SpaceX's Starbase facility. The case tests whether a 2013 state law allowing closures for spaceflight can override a constitutional amendment guaranteeing public access to Texas beaches.
The Texas Supreme Court has agreed to hear a pivotal case challenging the legality of frequent beach closures surrounding SpaceX’s Starbase facility. The ruling will determine if state-granted closure authority for aerospace activities unconstitutionally overrides the Texas Open Beaches Act.
The Texas Supreme Court is reviewing a constitutional challenge to SpaceX's frequent closures of Boca Chica Beach for rocket testing. The case pits the Texas Open Beaches Act against the state's strategic interest in the burgeoning commercial space industry.