After SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke at the Boca Chica launchpad site on Sept. 28, The Rider went to the streets to find what reactions and perspectives UTRGV students and the community have on Musk’s future plans for SpaceX.
In his presentation, Musk talked about the accessibility and resourcefulness of other modes of transportation. He said that cars, bikes, buses, trains, etc., are reusable and believes that space travel should have the same concept. This is why SpaceX is implementing the Rapidly Reusable Rocket.
“The reality is, as far as we know, this is the only place, at least in this part of the galaxy, or the Milky Way, where there is consciousness,” Musk said. “And it’s taken a long time for us to get to this point.”
He said the sun is gradually getting hotter and bigger and, over time, even in the absence of global warming, the sun will expand and overheat the Earth.
“My guess is, probably … there’s only several hundred million years left,” Musk said. “That’s all, that’s all we’ve got.”
He said steps should be taken to preserve the light of consciousness and aim toward a multiplanetary civilization.
“I think that would be a good effort,” said Jesus Zamora, a criminal justice junior. “Maybe we do need to branch out and look for other resources in other planets and start investing in life outside our Earth.”
Zamora asked how space travel would be regulated.
“Would it be commercialized? Would everyone be able to do it?” Zamora asked.
In his presentation, Musk said that if his plans take shape, people could be traveling to space within the next year.
Zamora said he is excited about the concept, but added, “I think the first couple trips will be very dangerous and we’re gonna need a lot of brave men and women.”
When The Rider went to the SpaceX site on Sept. 30, Brownsville native Gloria Bell was standing outside her car on State Highway 4, looking at the launchpad.
Bell said she lost touch with the Rio Grande Valley ever since she moved to Waco four years ago. Asked why she returned, Bell replied, “I just saw a friend post it and I didn’t realize it was actually up. It’s actually happening. Four years I’ve been gone. When I was leaving, they were talking about it, SpaceX this and SpaceX that, and four years later it is happening! It happened really fast.”
Things will be moving fast from this point on, Musk said regarding his goal to conduct the 20-km Starship Mk1 flight within the next two months.
Asked if she believes SpaceX can achieve this goal, Bell replied, “It’s amazing, it’s just, anything is possible. 21st century and beyond is unpredictable.”
Given that there is a launchpad at Boca Chica and another in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Musk said there is a 50% chance that the first launch of Starship to reach orbit could be from Boca Chica.
Bell said she is proud to have SpaceX in her hometown.
“Let’s just hope they just pick up after their mess,” she said.
Asked how he felt about the proposed Starship launch, Zamora replied, “It just adds to our city. I’m just glad that we were able to bring something like that here. I just hope nothing happens to the environment, ’cause they’re launching stuff into space. The beach, hopefully, stays unaffected.”
Students and members of the community are eager to see what lies ahead for SpaceX and Boca Chica Village, a small residential area next to the launch site.
“Hopefully, if he’s gonna buy more property for that, we’re able to relocate the people there,” Zamora said. “Musk himself, I think he’s very innovative, he’s very forward thinking and I think he brings a lot of good stuff to the table and I like his drive to go forward,” Zamora said.
