Starship prototype for public display in the works

SpaceX founder Elon Musk and officials from the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport have discussed on Twitter the possible placement of a Starship prototype near the airport. 

The airport would be a good location as it “serves both communities,” Musk tweeted on Feb. 21. 

Francisco Partida, interim assistant director for the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, said, according to Starbase engineers, the research and development and the iterations of the Starship move so fast that some of the Starships are starting to become obsolete by SpaceX standards.

“So we said, ‘Well, OK. … What [will it] take to get one of those to display somewhere?’ You know, we’re part of the City of Brownsville,” Partida said. “And [they] said, ‘Well, I mean, it is expensive technology and it’s not that easy,’ and we left it at that. So it was interesting that 10 days after … this conversation unfolded via Twitter.”

When the airport added the new terminal last year, a road was named Starship Road by proclamation of the City of Brownsville, he said. 

“So, you know, that’s why I took that screenshot,” Partida said. “We have the perfect spot, you know, Starship Road and [Musk] said, ‘Sure, I’ll send one over.’ So that’s how it came to be.” 

He said having a Starship within city limits signals the cooperation between a governmental entity, like the City of Brownsville and a private entity like SpaceX. 

“It’s just an overall positive for the community and SpaceX because at the end of the day, having one of those … more accessible to the public, I mean, I think it’s great,” Partida said.

 The city manager, deputy city manager and assistant city manager had an initial quick conversation with the Starbase team, and the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport is awaiting more instructions, he said. 

Because of the dimensions of the rocket, it is not going to be easy moving an existing prototype to the new location. Partida said it will take time and engineering to get it done. 

The Rider asked Partida how much the transport would cost.

“It’s a local transfer,” he replied. “It just will depend on what type of transportation we have to use, so I’m assuming a couple thousand dollars. Now, I wouldn’t dare guess the engineering that would go behind it to set it in place because I’m sure we’re going to need some cranes. We’re going to need some concrete footing.”

Partida said the airport is really excited to explore the possibility of having a Starship in Brownsville but will also be mindful that there are “quite the steps” to follow before having it displayed.

“Anything that stems from this conversation, we’ll definitely keep everyone apprised via press release or media advisory or even social media,” he said. “But we’re a governmental unit. We have to be transparent in something as high profile as this. We will keep everyone apprised of any developments.”