SpaceX is a private rocket launching company started in 2002 and owned primarily by billionaire Elon Musk. The company has branded itself with Elon Musk’s philosophy to “colonize Mars” and create a “multi-planetary” system mainly focused on neglecting the environmental destruction on Earth and exploiting the resources of other planets. SpaceX began building its launch pad in Boca Chica around 2016 with the disapproval of Boca Chica Village residents who were threatened and displaced (VICE). Since then, Cameron County has handed Elon Musk a tax abatement without taking into consideration the needs of the community. Musk plans to potentially incorporate Boca Chica Beach to create a company town, Starbase. The City of Brownsville wants other cities to invest and become the “future Silicon Valley of Space” (BTX). These features repeat to the colonial history of the agriculture industry branding the region as “Magic Valley” (Trucha).
SpaceX poses a significant environmental threat to the unique ecology of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The launch site threatens endangered wildlife such as the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, ocelot, piping plover, alpomado falcon, and over 100+ more endangered species (Sierra Club). SpaceX launches are mainly fueled by methane gas so it also exacerbates the effects of climate change. Construction and operational activities cause sound, light, and air pollution. Testing and launch failures cause debris, fire, smoke, release of hazardous fuels and vapors that damage nearby wildlife, habitats, and the ocean (Sierra Club). Since its operation, SpaceX launches have caused irrevocable damage. The most notable was in September 2022 when over 60 acres were burned from a wildfire created by a state launch fire test of Starship/SuperHeavy rocket. Soon after, in November 2023, another launch caused tremors that resembled an earthquake felt all the way as far as Harlingen. Launches have frequently caused explosions audible by residents from South Padre Island to Brownsville and have expelled hazardous debris throughout the wildlife habitats and nearby areas.
Here’s a list of resources and media about the dangers and risks of SpaceX to read, share, and even enjoy.
Read our Community Safety Guide: SpaceX Rocket Launches to prepare for exploding rockets: https://sotxejn.org/community-safety-guide-spacex-rocket-launch/
Fill out our SpaceX Launch Response Form / SpaceX Lanzamiento Repuesta Formulario: https://sotxejn.org/2025/03/04/spacex-launch-response-form-spacex-lanzamiento-repuesta-formulario/
Watch the video: Stop SpaceX Colonization of the Rio Grande Valley.
The video Stop SpaceX Colonization of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, features testimonials from local community members speaking out about harmful SpaceX operations at the April 6, 2021, City of Brownsville Commission Meeting.
Read zines about the dangers of SpaceX.
- DSA RGV’s zine: Learn more at: https://www.instagram.com/dsa_rgv/
- Fuera SpaceX Zine, published May 30, 2021, by Joteria Cientifica Zine. Learn more about them here: https://joteriacientifica.tumblr.com/
- SpaceX: a neocolonizer’s fantasy, by Chris Sandoval and Caty Camacho
Read & Share local news articles about the negative impacts of SpaceX.
Emma, Guevara. (2021, December). What Journalists Should Know Before Reporting on SpaceX at Boca Chica Beach, Trucha RGV.
Xandra Treviño, Michelle Serrano, Patricia Rubio, Juan Mancias, Dave Cortez, and Freddy Jimenez. (2021, October 16). Environmentalists: SpaceX’s negative impacts on Boca Chica are clear and numerous, Rio Grande Guardian.
Erin Sheridan. (2022, May 24). The Fine Print: Exploring Musk’s Impact, Local Leaders’ Complacency, & the Community’s Struggle.Trucha RGV.
Erin Sheridan. (2022, June 24). The Fine Print Part Two; SpaceX’s Lack of Transparency As a Tool for Recolonization, Trucha RGV.
Freddy Jimenez. (2022, March 21). Commentary: On the Shoulders of Giants, Trucha RGV.
Josue Ramirez. (2022 January 24). Space Exed, A Forced Rebranding. Trucha RGV.
Isamel M. (2021, April 6). Rio Grande Valley Against SpaceX. Trucha RGV.
Watch ¡ Sabado Night Live !
On May 8, 2021, residents of the Rio Grande Valley area and organizations Trucha RGV, Las Imaginistas, Another Gulf Is Possible, and South TX EJ Network spoke out about the dangers of SpaceX in the community. The demonstrators created a mock sketch show in response to Elon Musk’s nationally syndicated Saturday Night Live appearance. The video is available on Facebook.
Read about the production on Texas Public Radio: https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2021-05-12/spacex-rio-grande-valley-local-concerns-grow
Share anti-SpaceX art and graphics.
- Artwork and Graphics by Xandra Trevino 1,2,3,4 (Instagram)
- Pumpkin Carving from Another Gulf Is Possible (Instagram)
- Graphics and Artwork from Trucha RGV: 1,2,3,4,5,6, (Instagram)
- Graphics from RGV Greens: SpaceX and STARLINK space pollution (Instagram)
Graphics from DSA RGV: Elon Musk’s financial contributions (Instagram)