Matamoros (Mexico), Apr 20 (EFE).- Thousands of Mexicans watched on Thursday at the US border the historic takeoff, and subsequent explosion, of the US tycoon Elon Musk’s Starship rocket.
The attendees gathered at the mouth of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, in the state of Tamaulipas, near the headquarters of the SpaceX company, which is located in the US city of Boca Chica, Texas.
Local families and from other municipalities in Tamaulipas, arrived early at the mouth of the river that divides Mexico from the United States to settle and observe the flight of the rocket, classified as the most powerful in history.
Regardless of the fact that it exploded minutes later, the attendees declared themselves impressed by the event and the atmosphere of noise that was perceived on the Mexican side.
“Too shocked, it was something very impressive, I’m still in ‘shock’. I can’t find another word to tell you how happy it gave us,” Francisco Moyar told EFE.
On the American side there were also viewers who shared the hope that SpaceX’s plan would come to fruition, after it was canceled on Monday minutes after it was carried out due to technical problems.
AN EXPLOSION THAT LEFT YOU SPEECHLESS
Today was the second attempt by SpaceX to test the project of the large Starship rocket, designed to transport people to Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars, which is made up of a ship (Starship) and a propellant (Super Heavy Rocket ) fully integrated.
Although the liftoff was considered successful, the rocket exploded minutes later for reasons yet to be confirmed, so SpaceX owner Musk immediately reacted on Twitter to encourage his team to continue working.
In Mexican lands, minutes after 8:30 a.m. local time (2:30 p.m. GMT) the noise coming from the Starbase was heard.
“I fell short of expectations, it was something very spectacular, something historic, really,” said Mexican Sergio Vargas.
Local schools brought their students to awaken interest in space technology and motivate them to train in this area, which represents an opportunity for the region.
“It was very exciting, I liked it a lot. The fire, when she flew and everything was heard, ”said elementary school student Sofía Nicole.
The fact also caught the interest of the authorities, since the mayor of Matamoros, Mario Alberto López Hernández, proposed after the takeoff the construction of a recreational walk to promote tourism.
“There is a lot of family together and we as deputies have to promote this type of action so that people can enjoy it,” agreed local legislator Alberto Granados.
AN OUTBREAK THAT DID NOT DISCOURAGE
After the rocket was lost in the sky over the Gulf of Mexico, the attendees stayed to extend the celebration with music and barbecue.
“It was something fantastic, I had never seen this, it’s my first time and I’m almost 60 years old,” Alma Tapia narrated.
With Musk’s announcement of another test in a few months, the region is already gearing up to witness Starship’s advancement again.
