As SpaceX continues to test its Starship Hopper prototype, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. has ordered the closure of access to Boca Chica Beach.
“Due to exigent circumstances, testing will take longer than anticipated,” Treviño said in the news release earlier today. “As such, I have signed an amended order to extend the temporary beach closure for today and [Friday].”
The order temporarily closed access to Boca Chica Beach and State Highway 4, from FM 1419 (Oklahoma Avenue) to the beach, until 8 tonight and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
SpaceX Spokesman James Gleeson told The Rider in an email that the Starship Hopper prototype was moved to the launch pad in preparation for testing earlier this month.
“SpaceX will conduct checkouts of the newly installed ground systems and perform a short static fire test in the days ahead,” Gleeson said. “Although the prototype is designed to perform sub-orbital flights, or hops, powered by the SpaceX Raptor engine, the vehicle will be tethered during initial testing and hops will not be visible from offsite.”
Cameron County started the beach closures last week to allow SpaceX to conduct testing.
“SpaceX and law enforcement authorities will be coordinating to ensure that no individuals or vehicles are allowed access to these areas during these times of the day,” the news release reads. “In coordination with the County, SpaceX will establish a safety zone perimeter that will include two temporary checkpoints on Highway 4.”
Boca Chica Village residents will be allowed to access their homes during the testing period.
Despite the excitement of having a space exploration station about two miles away from his backyard, a Boca Chica Beach resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Rider SpaceX’s arrival has changed his community.
“Before it was all quiet and peaceful,” he said. “No disruptions or anything. But now, after they start this, all the building and like this, the beach stuff … So, it does affect things.”
One of the reasons he and his wife have lived in Boca Chica Village for 12 years is the quiet environment, he said.
“It’s not like it used to be. It never will be now,” he said. “I mean, that’s why we came here, because it was quiet. But now … all kinds of tourists come through and they stop and they want to know about it.”
He said SpaceX has already bought six of the dozens of houses that comprise Boca Chica Village.
Asked if he thinks SpaceX will try to buy all the houses close to the station, he replied, “That’s possible because if they have, you know, safety concerns or whatever, or if they have any big rockets down here or whatever. ’Cause we’re only, not even two miles from the launchpad. We don’t really think they’re going to want us here eventually.”
