SpaceX is preparing for another Starship test flight from Starbase this week, with Brownsville officials advising residents that a possible launch could be heard across parts of the lower Laguna Madre and Brownsville area.
The City of Brownsville said the potential 13th Starship test flight is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, between 5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Central time. The city advised that residents in Brownsville, Port Isabel and South Padre Island may hear sonic booms during the launch.
The city notice is a reader-service alert for residents who may hear or feel the effects of launch activity even if they are not near Boca Chica. Sonic booms can be startling, especially for people who are not expecting them, and may be heard differently depending on weather, distance and the flight profile.
The possible test flight comes as SpaceX continues development of Starship from Starbase, the launch site near Boca Chica Beach. Starship remains central to the company’s long-term plans for larger payloads, lunar missions and future deep-space transportation, while the South Texas site remains one of the most closely watched aerospace locations in the country.
For the Brownsville area, each launch attempt carries both regional interest and practical impacts. Residents, beachgoers and visitors often watch for notices involving road access, beach closures, marine safety zones and changes tied to launch operations near Boca Chica.
Brownsville officials encouraged residents to sign up for City of Brownsville text alerts to receive updates about this possible launch and future city notices. The city said residents can register through the City Alerts section at BrownsvilleTX.gov.
Residents and visitors near Boca Chica, South Padre Island and Port Isabel should also monitor official notices from Cameron County, the City of Brownsville and launch-related public safety channels before traveling toward the area.
Launch schedules can change with little notice because of weather, technical reviews, range safety requirements or regulatory factors. A listed launch window should be treated as a target time, not a guarantee that the flight will occur.
If the launch proceeds, people in the region may see increased traffic in viewing areas and hear elevated noise associated with the test. Residents who are sensitive to loud sounds may want to plan ahead during the announced window.
The City of Brownsville said its alert system is intended to keep the community informed about launch activity and other essential city notices.
