Thursday, May 3, 2012

Will Brownsville Enter the Space Age with a Launch Pad Near Boca Chica?


As I listened somewhat mesmerized to Gilbert Salinas of the Brownsville Economic Development Corporation pitch the SpaceX concept to the City Commission on 5/1/12, it occurred to me that the young man's eyebrows formed a nearly perfect upside down "V" when he raised them, nearly duplicating the Spock character of Star Trek(Check out the video elsewhere on this blog if you don't believe me).  It's one of life's unexplainable synchronicities that likely means nothing unless the reincarnation of Gene Roddenberry comes to south Texas to do a remake of Star Trek.



     While we're appropriately skeptical and hesitant about any large project hyped in Brownsville because our inept AND corrupt politicians have in recent years flushed $60,000,000 of taxpayer money down the toilet bowl with the imaginary Port of Brownsville bridge, the Weir Project and Titan Tire, this deal may actually be real and impactful.  For one thing, the FAA is already authorizing preparation of an environmental impact statement.  For another thing, Space Exploration Technology or SpaceX has lined up 3 billion dollars worth of business and needs more launch sites.  Elon Musk, founder of PayPal and now, SpaceX  does not need Port of Brownsville officials to whisper sweet nothings in his ear over a $1600 meal.  He found Brownsville.  We did not find him.  Salinas readily admits that, stating that the proposal was filtered down through the State of Texas.  "We (BEDC) have a good relationship with the State of Texas."  Well, duh.  We would hope so.  




     With the environmental study on the way and a city meeting scheduled at ITEC on May 15, Salinas suggests we "choose our words carefully."  He intimates that 10 years ago a tiny town in New Mexico outhustled us for a similar setup.  Even Cape Canaveral could have been near Brownsville if everything had fallen into place.  

     The numbers are glossy:  $71,000,000 annual impact to the local economy with 50 million of that being in salary.  There is a bit of tourism associated with these projected once-a-month launches.  Salinas mentioned 7,000-10,000 visitors to observe each launch, a modest number compared to Canaveral's 40,000.   Salaries are described as starting at a $55,000 minimum.(I cornered Commissioner Estela Chavez at an event.  She said that the precedent at Cape Canaveral was for these jobs to initially be filled by move-ins, but down the line, as we got a more prepared work force to be filled locally.  BTW, she also stated that Boca Chica Beach would be  shut down for 4 hours once a month for the launches.)  

     Why Brownsville?  First and foremost, geographical location.  The closer to the equator, the easier the launch.  Go ask Tom Robinson at the Southmost library for the physics involved.  Tell him I sent you.  In a quick nutshell, the earth's rotation speed is fastest at the equator.  The rockets are launched east with the earth spinning at about 1,000 miles per hour in the other direction so it's like being flipped off of a sling shot.  Musk might have considered going further south but the Zeta and Gulf cartels do not make good neighbors.  Actually, in all seriousness, it has to be on U.S. soil, the further south the better.  As you know, Brownsville is the southernmost city in the continental U.S.  The missiles are aimed over water where so no population is affected.  Perfect aim splits the difference between CONUS and Cuba.  CONUS is a fancy name for continental United States.  When you go to Garcia's in Matamoros you're technically leaving CONUS.  

The area currently being scrutinized is near the dunes off Boca Chica and is accessed by the two-lane Highway 4.   SpaceX requires a 5 acre footprint inside a 50 acre buffer zone.  Residents within 2 miles of the proposed site approached by a Brownsville Herald reporter are not exactly thrilled with the prospect of a launch pad that close to their homes, although they understand the need for jobs and development.  


     So, I guess, we need to get our respectful questions ready for the May 15 meeting at ITEC and not act like a bunch of Neanderthals and chase this golden goose away.  

10 comments:

  1. "As you know, Brownsville is the southernmost city in the continental U.S."

    Umm. No.

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  2. If the space ex project comes here, it will be because this is the cheapest place to develop this project and local officials will salivate and give the promoters great tax breaks.....like Titan Tire. We are cheap and housing is cheap, but the local jobs skills are lacking. Maybe that can change with a project like this, but initially the project will have to import its labor. All good for our economy, we hope, but will these project families be happy with poor schools, lack of restaurants other than Tacos, and can they endure poor customer service that exists here. We are a third world area and sometimes it is impossible to get anything done without a "mordida" of some sorts.

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  3. All valid points above, but, of course, this launch pad can't be located in Manhattan or even Palm Springs. Skilled people ARE willing to locate now in pursuit of jobs.

    Aside from the PR, someone needs to be totally upfront with the company. BISD is run by a totally inept, corrupt board. That's not changing anytime soon, but we do have private schools and at least the upper half of SpaceX's work force could easily afford that.

    We need a liaison between company and city and county government, someone like Cascos perhaps or even Gilbert Salinas. That person could say to Musk: "Look, we have some dumbass politicians here who may try to hit you up. If that happens, please let me know instantly. I'll take care of it."

    As for customer non-service and dining, we used to rely on Matamoros for these needs. Now, we just have to make do. His workers will either love or hate Brownsville. Perhaps, by the time the desertions come, we can have some locals trained.

    Jim

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  4. How can you tell someone is an idiot? Their opionion differs from that of Brownsville blog owners.
    So, now anyone not in favor of this project is a neanderthal. Why can't it just be that they have a different opinion? I can't help but notice that you guys like to rush to judgement. Why not at least wait until after the public meeting on this project? Maybe you will hear something that you have not considered.
    Mescalero aka a neanderthal

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    Replies
    1. Hold your horses, Mescalero! That's simply not so subtle humor on my part. I don't like to be told to "choose my words carefully." Reread the article. I expressed skepticism. I don't go all gaga because someone from the BEDC does essentially a sales presentation before the City Commission.

      You're overreacting guy! Nena is right. She says I don't write literally enough.

      Delete
  5. This would be a good opportunity for TSC to discuss training programs directed toward supporting this venture. We surely have young people who can be trained for participation in this project. But, this project depends on negotiations with Cameron County to use Boca Chica Beach property.....that isn't Brownsville. The employees that you call "move ins" might live in Brownsville...but they could live in other cities and communities also. When they find out how bad our public schools are, they may leave their families behind. Let's hope the community can come together to support this venture and what it will bring to Cameron County.

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  6. The Space Age began in 1969 and has left Brownsville behind since. With the biggest occupations here....making tacos and fixing tires....we are decades behind the rest of the nation (U.S. nation) in job skills and education. We are a perfect Obama community....we want it free and don't want to work too hard. The Space Age requiress highly skilled employees who can think outside the box. BISD continues to teach "The Box" and avoids critical thinking skills...which most of the teachers don't have. I think, in the end, lack of skilled labor and poor education of the citizens will cause SpaceX to go somewhere else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1969? The moon landing? Why not 1957 with the first Sputnik or the early 40's with Werner Von Braun's rocketry? You make a good point about the lack of skilled labor, but much of your comment is oversimplification, politicized and borders on an ethnic slur.

      Jim

      Delete
  7. I don't care to have rockets launched in an ecologically sensitive area. The proposed site sits between South Bay estuary and the National Wildlife Refuge. This land should be preserved and the beach protected from development, noise and pollution. Take it somewhere else.

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  8. way too cool, sitting on the beach with a beer and watch rocket ships launch into space!!! plus the jobs and dinero$ Anyone against this is stupid.

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