By David JeansSTARBASE, Texas, June 10 – The last time SpaceX launched a rocket in South Texas, charter boat captain Eddie Reyes was bobbing in a pontoon boat less than 2 miles from the pad with a group of paying passengers. A blast of flames erupted and shockwaves rattled the boat while the rocket climbed into the sky.The arrival of SpaceX has brought good business to Reyes and his family. Since the establishment of Starbase, Elon Musk’s company town, his charter boat business has picked up as space fans flock to the area for a glimpse of launches. Reyes’ nephew works at SpaceX as a welder, driving a Tesla Cybertruck.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut the same rockets Reyes sees lifting his family’s fortunes are also shaking his mother’s home. Shockwaves from launches are cracking the ceiling, loosening window seals and sinking the foundation. She’s among dozens of residents now suing Musk’s company for damage.“You can’t stop progress,” Reyes said.Many of the people in the Rio Grande Valley region surrounding Starbase – the company town centered around SpaceX’s rocket operations – have arrived at a similar conclusion. They’re willing to ride the wave of Musk’s interplanetary ambitions and accept the consequences that come with it.While SpaceX’s rapid expansion is bringing jobs, visitors and global attention, it is also fueling lawsuits, environmental concerns and a growing divide among the 1.4 million residents of the Rio Grande Valley.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter SpaceX’s record‑setting $1.75 trillion IPO on Friday – which wil …
