Is it finally, after over six decades, on the verge of freedom?
I guess that the question is what the basis of its economy will be. It could certainly do pineapples, coffee, and (if we were to end our own domestic restrictions) sugar, rum and cigars. But it could also become another tropical tourism mecca, with all its beaches. But they’d have to figure out how to avoid the tyranny of another Batista.
That’s rather up to the Cuban people, isn’t it?
We (the US) should assist them in achieving freedom. We should not attempt to enforce it.
Wondering if there might be some connection with the prospective purchase in Luisiana by SpaceX. A regime that allows rocket overflight would enable Boca and the possible Pecan sites.
That might be helpful, but not essential.
Downrange recovery.
Mebbe.
Just FYI, the US already does overflights of Cuba and ignores Cuban protests. East-West overflight of Cuba would also overfly Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, more likely the issue/ IFT-12 went through the Yucatan Strait then south of Cuba to exit the Caribbean via the Lesser Antilles. From Pecan the best trajectory to polar and SSOs would be to overfly the neck of Mexico. Sooner or later, the US will have to allow inland launch sites, perhaps starting with Edwards. with a lot of dessert down range.
That’s what I was thinking. The most ideal location would be someplace with good interconnects to natgas and transportation along with sufficient water and power, located on the west side of a downrange desert.
How about factories that make sports equipment. Like baseballs, baseball bats, and baseball caps. And other sports like football, basketball, and many others. How about a hat factory, making all kinds of hats. Then there toys, clothes, and shoes. So some of the things that China makes.
Given the Cuban wizardry that has kept so many 50s-era US automobiles running down to the present day, there would seem to be a potential export market of reasonable size for classic car replacement parts.
Thumbs up
Anybody with a Wright Brothers-class machine shop can do it.