STARBASE, Texas — Plumes of vapor burst from the launchpad beneath the rocket, then a flame, pale in the early morning light, visible but silent.
The rocket rose steadily. A seagull screeched. People yelled: “Whoa!” and “Go!”
Then, as the rocket pierced the clouds, the sound arrived, about 30 seconds after ignition — a fast, pulsing rumble, like the thrum of one car window cracked open on the highway, but much stronger, deep enough to feel in your chest and rattle windows.
Read more here:
From a remote Texas base, SpaceX’s launch shows Louisiana what to expect. ‘See the future.’
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The ElonRWall, by Carlos Guerrero, stands along Boca Chica Blvd. near Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Spectators watch from Boca Chica Blvd. as a 50ft Prometheus by French sculptors Atelier Missor is prepared for installation along the road that leads to SpaceX near Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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A Tesla Cybertruck travels from Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Kick streamers stand on an RV near Starship launch pad in Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Spaceship is prepared for a launch from Sparbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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A clock counts down to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 launch in Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Spaceship is prepared for a launch from Sparbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Jesus Christ of the Fisherman Statue photographed with stars before the launch of the SpaceX Starship Flight 14 in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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The moon illuminates spectators as they wait for the launch of the SpaceX Starship Flight 14 before the sunrise in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Ryan Wycoff makes pancakes out the back of his Tesla Cybertruck as he waits for the launch of the SpaceX Starship Flight 14 in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Ryan Wycoff shows how his app Visit Starbase works, as he waits for a Starship launch in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Kick streamers wait on an air mattress for the launch of the SpaceX Starship Flight 14 as they film themselves in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Spectators wait along the jetties for a SpaceX launch Starship Flight 14 in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Spectators wait along the jetties for a SpaceX launch Starship Flight 14 in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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A shrimp boat travels in Port Isabel Passage as a SpaceX Starship is prepared for a launch near South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Spectators wait along the jetties for a SpaceX launch Starship Flight 14 in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer
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Starship is launched from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Spectators watch from South Padre Island, Texas, jetties as Starship launches from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Starship is launched from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Starship is launched from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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Spectators watch from South Padre Island, Texas, jetties as Starship launches from Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
The Times-Picayune
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ElonDAO’s bust of Elon Musk, almost 9ft tall, stands next to the highway near Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Sophia Germer