And I wouldn’t doubt that that played a huge role in the decision, but I’m curious as to what, if anything, changed between when they created the mission profile /launched it, and now. Did they not get some basic permit to launch it that also included the entry plan, which was approved?

That’s what I’m unsure of.

I think they’re more worried about it landing on someone’s head.

Nah, they’re probably afraid subject else would get to it first and steal trade secrets. The Greed Principle overrides Occam’s Razor.