BROWNSVILLE, Texas – In September 2014, Space X owner and billionaire Elon Musk helped break ground on a facility that is expected to launch South Texas into the stratosphere.
"There was no question at all, in any of the commissioners' or the mayor's minds, that this was the right thing to do for Brownsville," said Brownsville Commissioner-at-Large Rose Gowen.
With full support from city and state leaders, Space X, after a nationwide search for a new launch site for its signature rocket, the Falcon 9, chose Boca Chica Beach. The site lies just east of Brownsville along the Gulf of Mexico. The relatively unpopulated area was chosen for its location to obtain a proper orbit, along with the proximity to water.
For residents near Brownsville, they will now have an once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch rockets launch from their proverbial back yard. Musk also hinted at the fact that this launch site could eventually host a mission to put the first man on Mars.
That feat is likely years away, but just the idea of space exploration is already making a splash in the Rio Grande Valley -- not only financially, but in the world of education.
"It changed everything," said Louis Dartez, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas-Brownsville.
A physics program at the school called "Stargate" has already aligned itself with Space X.
"It's not far-fetched to think that students here will be designing either small spacecraft or instruments that will eventually get launched out of Brownsville," said Dartez.
Still, for all the positives, not everyone is excited about the company's arrival. The once-quiet area along Boca Chica Beach may soon be bustling with activity. There is also word that the beach may close for extended periods of time during launches.
"We're not happy about that," said Boca Chica Village resident Barbara Ulbright. "That's one of the reasons we like it out here."
Ulbright's neighborhood is adjacent to the Space X control center as well as a Wildlife Management Area.
"I'm definitely afraid (Space X) is going to run off all the birds," said Ulbright.
Despite the concerns, most in Brownsville are firmly behind the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is estimated to create more than 500 jobs over a 10-year period. The Brownsville Economic Development Council also predicts that around 15,000 visitors will make their way to the area for launches.
Space X projects that the first launch is about two years away.