County announces beach closure ahead of anticipated SpaceX Starship test flight

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. announced the temporary closure of Boca Chica Beach ahead of SpaceX's anticipated third launch of Starship.

Treviño ordered the temporary closure of access to Boca Chica Beach, as well as State Highway 4 from FM 1419 to the entrance of the beach due to the anticipated test flight. The closure will take place from midnight to 2 p.m. March 14, with alternate closure dates the following two days should the test flight not launch on the 14.

He cited the purpose of the closure as protecting public health and safety.

"In coordination with the County, SpaceX will establish a safety zone perimeter that will include two temporary checkpoints on Highway 4," Trevino stated.

SpaceX announced Wednesday that the third test flight for Starship could happen as early as March 14, pending regulatory approval.

The announcement came shortly after the FAA finished reviewing an investigation into Starship's second test flight. During the investigation, the FAA documented 17 corrective actions that needed to be addressed before a third test launch. Seven of those correction actions were identified for the Super Heavy Booster, and the other 10 were identified for the Starship itself.

The third test flight will include a new flight pass, targeting a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, according to SpaceX.

“This new flight path enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximizing public safety,” SpaceX stated on its website.