By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.
Jared Hockema, Port Isabel City Manager since 2015, shared that the city closely monitored the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse during SpaceX’s unprecedented test-launch of the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket on April 20, 2023.
According to Hockema, the launch and following explosion had no discernable harm on the lighthouse.
“We did not observe any damage to it,” said Hockema, who also assured the same measures will be taken coinciding with the next launch, the date of which is unknown at this moment. “We had our traffic prepared. We were monitoring. We were in close communication with county authorities.”
Hockema noted that if any issue were to arise in the time following the launch, the city would pursue a resolution.
One quite noticeable aftermath of the launch was a sand, or dust, that fell on the city. Hockema mentioned that this would be brought up to the county, and even promised that the FAA would provide a plan of action regarding clean-up.
The FAA is also currently investigating the launch, and has currently grounded Starship rockets in order to ensure “any system, process or procedure does not affect public safety.” According to the FAA, this investigation could take weeks to several months to conclude.
The Starship made lift-off of the launch pad, absolutely obliterating it. It took flight over the Gulf of Mexico, and reached an apogee of 39-kilometers. According to SpaceX, this is a record-breaking height for Starship history. However, an undisclosed amount of engines failed, resulting in a tumbling-descent of the would-be spacecraft, and a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
Want the entire story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS, or subscribe to our e-Edition by clicking HERE!