Every time SpaceX launches the largest rocket in human history, the starship/superheavy from Brownsville’s Boca Chica Beach, it creates a new disaster. The last seven rocket launches caused earthquakes felt for dozens of miles, burned down acres of pristine habitat, took away access to the beach from the community, caused a plume of dust in the air, forced a school in Port Isabel to evacuate, illegally dumped polluted water into South Bay, and so much more. South Texas Environmental Justice Network (SOTXEJN) created this community safety guide for residents of the Rio Grande Valley. It includes tips to help prepare your home, friends, and family before a dangerous rocket launch and guidance on what to do after a rocket explodes. Currently, Elon Musk requests approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the rocket up to 25 times per year, increasing the size and scale of the disasters in our community.
*The guide will be updated as we receive more information from experts. Contact us if you have any recommendations for the guide: https://sotxejn.org/contact/
Prepare for a dangerous SpaceX rocket launch.
- Stay up-to-date on Boca Chica Beach closures. Sign up for the Boca Chica Beach closure text alert system managed by Cameron County. Text “BEACH” to 866-513-3475. The Cameron County alert system sends out a text message to inform the public day of a beach closure and beach opening.
- Note: the text message alert system is only in English. The text message alert system is not always accurate.
- Get notified about a SpaceX rocket launch. Sign up for the City of Brownsville’s SpaceX rocket launch email/text message alert system. https://www.brownsvilletx.gov/1718/Emergency-Alert-Brownsville
- Note: City of Brownsville will send out an alert on the day of a launch. Alerts sometimes contain misinformation, such as false claims that there is “no risk to safety” from a rocket launch, which we know is untrue. The City of Brownsville alerts are only in English.
- Document the foundation of your home before a rocket launch happens. Take photos/videos with timestamps of your home foundation because there are reports of SpaceX launches causing earthquakes that could cause cracks in people’s homes in the Brownsville and Laguna Madre communities.
- Stock up on personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 face masks to protect your respiratory health. Previously, a SpaceX rocket exploded and sent a plume of dust containing unknown materials into the air of the Laguna Madre and Brownsville communities. Residents complained of allergies and scratchy throats because of the dust.
- Keep a close eye on your pets. Loud noises, such as sonic booms or explosions from a SpaceX rocket, can cause them significant anxiety.
What to do after a rocket launch. Stay safe. Document. Report. Speak up. Get connected!
- Wear an N95 face mask outside if the sky looks hazy with dust or smoke from the rocket launch. Keep your lungs safe.
- Document any damages to your home by taking photos/videos with timestamps. Document any seismic activity or loud noises from the rocket launch by recording video or audio. It is important to send this information as proof to regulators or elected officials and potentially to use it to take legal action.
- Report any wildlife habitat destruction or evidence of pollution from SpaceX to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) by filing a complaint. Here are the step-by-step instructions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Environmental_Complaints
- Speak up about any damages or discomfort you felt to elected officials, such as earthquakes, singed habitat on Boca Chica Beach, SpaceX tourist traffic, inability to access the beach for recreation or fishing, damages to your home, and anything else you think is essential. Encourage your friends & family to do the same. Here’s a form you can use to contact your elected officials: bit.ly/spacexlaunchresponse
Do you want to get involved?
- Get connected to other RGV residents and community groups speaking up about the risks and dangers of SpaceX. Join SOTXEJN’s email list for updates and events: https://sotxejn.org/contact/
- Share any photos or videos you have of Boca Chica Beach before the arrival of SpaceX with the non-profit Entre Film Center based in Harlingen, TX, which is archiving this footage. Email: info@entrefilmcenter.org and website: https://www.entrefilmcenter.org/boca-chica-corazon-grande.