28.07.2026

‘I was speechless’: Thousands cheer as SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 finally launches after delays

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After two scrubbed launch attempts, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 finally lifted off Friday, rewarding thousands of spectators who waited days to witness the historic test flight.

According to SpaceX, the mission achieved all of its primary objectives, including deploying 20 Starlink satellites and completing successful splashdowns of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle.

For many who traveled to South Texas, the successful launch made the extra wait worthwhile.

“I was speechless, I was actually just astonished, like awe-struck. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Edinburg resident Hector Martinez.

As Starship thundered into the sky, spectators described feeling the rocket’s power long after it left the launch pad.

“I was just frozen. Staring at the rocket with my mouth wide open. It was like a thousand gunshots going off right after another. I felt it in my chest, in my ears. Incredible,” Martinez said.

Some families extended their vacations after the first two launch attempts were scrubbed, hoping the third countdown would finally end with liftoff.

“It was worth the wait,” Gina Micek of Nebraska said. “It was something that has been on our bucket list to do, and it was nice to see all the people that showed up. There was some cheering in the end.”

Her husband, Joe Micek, said experiencing the launch in person was unlike anything he had imagined.

“To be here in person, to hear it and to feel that rocket, I’m just impressed. I’m glad we spent the time to put it on our schedule,” Micek said.

The excitement wasn’t limited to Texans. Families from around the world traveled to the Rio Grande Valley for the launch.

The Kolliver family, visiting from Switzerland, changed their California road trip plans and made a 21-hour detour to see Starship launch.

“You really felt the power of the rocket,” William Kolliver said. “It was loud, of course. It was incredible.”

Others stumbled upon the launch by chance.

“I’m not super big into this stuff, but I wanted to check it out,” California resident Steve Klopping said. “I camped about 500 feet away from the rocket, barbecued right in front of it, and then watched it take off. I can feel it in my chest, in my eardrums. The sign was there rattling, and I watched it. It was pretty cool.”

Even longtime Starship followers said Flight 13 stood out.

“I’ve watched 11 of these go up,” Harlingen resident Gary Gardner said. “I’ve been through many scrubs, so you get used to the emotions. But it was finally worth it.”

For many in the crowd, the launch represented more than another successful test flight. It was another milestone in SpaceX’s effort to develop a spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the Moon and eventually Mars.

While Flight 13 is now complete, SpaceX has not announced a launch date for Starship Flight 14.

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SpaceX plans Starship tower catch for next test flight, Elon Musk announces

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announces SpaceX will attempt to catch Starship with the tower on the next scheduled test flight.

Following the anticipated thirteenth Starship test flight, Musk posted on X that, “unless [SpaceX] discover problems after mission data review,” they are attempting to catch the Starship back at the tower.

During the thirteenth test flight, the Super Heavy Booster successfully ignited all 33 engines before ascending over the Gulf, completed the stage separation and successfully ignited again before experiencing a hard splashdown in the Gulf, according to SpaceX.

Additionally, SpaceX reported that during the test flight, Starship successfully deployed all 20 Starlink V3 satellites, completing all of its primary objectives.

SpaceX has yet to announce a launch date for Starship Flight 14.

Quelle: ValleyCentral.com