The Federal Aviation Administration will now complete its environmental review of SpaceX on February 28, 2022

The agency was previously scheduled to finalize the review on December 31 

The new date means SpaceX cannot launch its Starship rocket until March

SpaceX boss Elon Musk had high hopes of an orbital Starship launch in January, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has other plans.

The FAA announced Tuesday it is now issuing its final environmental review on February 28, 2022 - the previous date was December 31, 2021.

The change means SpaceX's Starship cannot launch until the review is completed.

Steve Kulm, public affairs specialist for FAA, said in a statement: 'Under the oversight of the FAA, SpaceX is currently drafting responses for the over 18,000 public comments received on the Draft PEA and continues to prepare the Final PEA for the FAA's review and acceptance.'