South Padre Island, Texas – The coast of Isla Blanca Park is a Starship facility at SpaceX in Bocachica, Texas, and is expected to be a place for hundreds of space enthusiasts and islanders to see test launches on the water.
With the impending launch of the Starship SN8, South Padre Island has found more tourists walking down the street. The view of the SpaceX launch facility is just a few miles across the water.
“Everyone wants to see it happen,” said James Baxter, a Houston-born South Padre Island transplanter.
Tourists like Eric and Tammy Patton traveled from Maryland and stayed for days hoping to catch the SN8 prototype fly.
“When we heard about SpaceX and its great guy, Elon Musk, we absolutely loved it! It took a year, like” a rocket will come down in three years “! “Eric Patton said.
“When we were in California [SpaceX] I did the last one, “said Tammy Patton. “We were watching, and I was crying. I was very excited!”
They don’t expect to leave South Padre Island.
“We now have a place for 30 days, and we are looking for an apartment,” said Eric Patton.
Local shops and businesses miles away are experiencing an increase in business from SpaceX, which settles in town.
“Even in Brownsville, the surrounding area … hotels … many of them are occupied by SpaceX employees,” Baxter said.
Baxter is from the space city and is currently living near an up-and-coming spaceport.
“I grew up in Houston,” Baxter said. “You can hear and feel the rattling noise every time the engine starts!”
Anna Ryson works at a local store on Padre Boulevard called Calypso.
“People said this was just for retired people,” Lyson said. “I don’t think so anymore. There are a lot of younger generations rooted here to participate in this.”
She is uniquely influenced by SpaceX.
“My husband works at SpaceX and I’m proud that my husband works at SpaceX. We actually moved from the Pennsylvania region to SPI and became part of this wonderful history.” Said Lyson. ..
She said she thought this was good for business and community building, but she said that not everyone was involved.
“Some people weren’t very happy with SpaceX coming here, but at the same time, many were very excited,” Lyson said.
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