That’s a wrap—No Starship launch attempt on Thursday afternoon [Updated]

Enlarge / SpaceX believes its SN9 prototype is ready to take to the skies. (credit: SpaceX)

Update, 5:15pm EST Thursday: There will be no Starship prototype launch attempt on Thursday, as residents were recently told they could return to Boca Chica Village. Will SpaceX receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch on Friday? Will the vehicle actually launch? All we really know right now is that the weather looks fine, should SpaceX get a green light to go.

Earlier this afternoon, SpaceX did load propellent onto Starship, and the company got pretty deep into the countdown. It seems most probable the company was hoping to get a last-minute approval from the FAA, which did not come.

Update, 3pm EST Thursday: SpaceX is loading its Starship SN9 prototype with propellant on Thursday afternoon. That much we know. But whether this is for a "wet dress rehearsal," a static fire test, or an actual launch, who knows.

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