Spectators from across the world gather for ninth Starship test launch

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Thousands gathered at Isla Blanca Park on Tuesday for the ninth Starship test launch.

Spectators were tense after SpaceX paused its countdown right before the launch, but when things got back into motion, the park erupted with excitement when the Starship was in the air.

Trent Orndorlff drove 18 hours from Colorado to visit the Rio Grande Valley in anticipation for the launch.

“After a few brief holds, I was worried for a moment there, but we got to see it fly, and unfortunately, we didn’t get to see it land over here, but SpaceX has one of the best of their engineers, so they are running their tests," Orndorlff said.

Once it launched, he says he got what he wanted to see.

“It was amazing, and it kept going," Orndorlff said. "It wasn’t just one boom, it's not just one big shock, it keeps on going and it hits you one, twice, thrice, four and five times and it keeps going all the way up for several minutes until you can see it anymore, you can still hear it. Like my legs are still shaking from it.”

The Zachary family was visiting from Louisiana when they learned about the launch.

“We just came out and ended up seeing SpaceX going up, and it was a wonderful experience. We had a wonderful time, and this was an experience of a lifetime to see this happen," said Cindy Zachary.

Others like Thierry Coiffier came from France across the globe for the test flight.

"In France, it is very famous," Coiffier said. "There is a deep curiosity about SpaceX, about Elon Musk, because there are some things we don’t understand about this guy, because he is a genius, but he is also controversial because of his role with DOGE in the Trump administration.”

For locals like SpaceX contractor Christopher Valle, it was his first time watching a launch.

Valle brought his whole family to the park to experience it firsthand.

“Being close to the rocket... and wanting to come out and see them in action," Valle said.

Harlingen resident Gwendyl Polus says this was her third in-person launch.

Her hopes were set on a successful launch.

“They are making improvements, and they are doing all these wonderful things, and as they go along, you get hope and a little closer to the dream goal of getting full out there into space," Polus said.

Whether it's a first-time watching a launch or a third time, spectators believe reaching Mars is possible.

“We will one day," Zachary said. "Maybe not in my lifetime, but one day we will with the technology. Every day technology is changing, and every day they are getting closer and closer to that point.”

There is no set date for the tenth launch, but Louis Balderas from LabPadre says spectators can expect one almost every month.