SpaceX launch today: Will Starship SN9 launch?
SPACEX called off the maiden test flight of the Starship SN9 on Monday after strong winds in the launch area appeared to have scuppered the company's plans - but will SpaceX attempt another Starship SN9 launch today?
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The launch of SpaceX's Starship Serial Number 9 (SN9) has been fraught with delays in recent weeks and SpaceX fans are getting anxious. SpaceX looked set to launch the prototype rocket on Monday, January 25, but the test flight appears to have been scrubbed due to strong winds in the launch area near Boca Chica, South Texas. The spacecraft is due to launch on its first suborbital flight, improving on the partial success of the crash-landed SN8 last month.
SpaceX fans are now desperate to know when the next launch window opens and whether SN9 could take to the skies today (January 27).
One person tweeted on Monday: "No Starship launch today :( Hopefully SN9 will earn its wings tomorrow!"
Another person said: "Shame today’s #Starship test launch didn’t go ahead but I’d reckon if the weather stays calm tomorrow we could see #SN9 fly for the first time!
"Personally I think it’ll pull its full manoeuvre off, including a landing!"
Tim Dodd of Everyday Astronaut also tweeted: "Today's TFR has been cancelled, there will be no #SN9 launch today.
"Hopefully they can reset for an attempt tomorrow and hopefully the weather will be better too!!!"
READ MORE: SpaceX Starship launch LIVE stream: How to watch SN9 launch this week
Will Starship SN9 launch today?
Whether or not Starship launches depends on a number of factors, such as weather and pre-flight systems checks.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued flight restrictions around Boca Chica Beach, giving SpaceX the clear airspace needed to launch SN9.
The restrictions are in place between 2pm and 11.59pm GMT (8am and 6.59pm CST) on Thursday and Friday.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Travino Jr has rescheduled road closures around Boca Chica Beach that were originally issued for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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The closures are in effect between 3pm and 12am (9am and 6pm CST) today, with a backup on Friday.
Consequently, it seems Thursday is now the earliest day Starship could launch.
Michael Baylor of NASASpaceflight tweeted: "The road closure for Wednesday has been cancelled, ruling out Starship testing or a flight test. The earliest that Starship SN9 could fly is now Thursday."
SpaceX fans have shared their excitement surrounding the SpaceX launch on social media.
One person tweeted: "Watch SN9 launch today while I'm at work! I don't wanna miss this one!"
Another person said: "Excited for the Starship SN9 launch this week!"
And a third fan said: "I'm calling it now no launch this week. See you next wee SN9. Weather just doesn't look good this week."
Once complete, Starship will be the most powerful launch vehicle ever built.
According to SpaceX, the spacecraft will carry up to 100 tons of cargo into orbit and will service mission to the Moon and Mars.
Starship will launch atop of the Super Heavy booster rocket and both stages will be fully reusable.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk, 49, has envisioned a fleet of Starships helping build a human colony on Mars.
SpaceX said: "Building cities on Mars will require affordable delivery of significant quantities of cargo and people.
"The fully reusable Starship system uses in-space propellant transfer to achieve this and carry people on long-duration, interplanetary flights."