There's some optimism at SpaceX that the FAA might issue a launch license much sooner, perhaps in time for Starship to fly this weekend. The launch window Sunday opens at 7 am CDT (8 am EDT; 12:00 UTC), about a half-hour before sunrise at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in South Texas.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the Federal Aviation Administration are in a standoff over when the space company’s next Starship mega-rocket will blast off from South Texas.

SpaceX is targeting as soon as Oct. 13 for the next launch of its Starship Super Heavy megarocket, but it all hinges on approval from the FAA, which says to expect the flight in "late November."

SpaceX said in an announcement it might launch its Starship rocket out of Boca Chica, Texas as early as Oct. 13, pending approval from the FAA.

The FAA told SpaceX last month that it wouldn't be able to fly the Starship until late November, but suddenly a much earlier launch date seems possible.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

The Federal Aviation Administration may issue SpaceX its next Starship license in time for a Sunday launch attempt, CNBC has learned.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has said it could launch its next test of the Starship megarocket as soon as Oct. 13 — as long as it gets regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).