US judge declines to block transfer of wildlife refuge land to Musk’s SpaceX

A federal judge has ruled against a request to halt the transfer of land within the Boca Chica National Wildlife Refuge to SpaceX. The company, led by Elon Musk, seeks to expand its Starbase launch facility adjacent to the refuge in South Texas. Environmental groups had sued to prevent the land transfer, arguing that it would harm endangered species and their habitats.

The land in question is currently managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SpaceX's proposed land swap involves deeding other parcels of land to the refuge in exchange for the portion within its current operational footprint. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between private industry development and conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly as SpaceX aims to scale up its Starship program.