FAA Restricts Rocket Launches to Night Hours Amid Shutdown Crisis

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary emergency order on October 26, 2023, restricting commercial rocket launches to nighttime hours. This decision comes in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has now reached its 38th day. The FAA’s administrator, Bryan Bedford, stated that the measure aims to mitigate safety risks and delays resulting from staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who continue to work without pay during the shutdown.

As part of the emergency measures, the FAA requires commercial airlines to begin reducing domestic flights from 40 high-traffic airports across the United States starting October 27, 2023. The agency emphasized that these restrictions are necessary to address the “stressed” air traffic control system exacerbated by the shutdown. The FAA noted that with unpredictable staffing levels leading to fatigue, the risks associated with maintaining regular operations have increased.

Night Launches Only

Under the new regulations, commercial space launches and reentries will only be permitted between 22:00 and 06:00 local time. This timeframe has been identified as when the national airspace is least congested. The FAA licenses all commercial launches, and these newly imposed restrictions will significantly impact mission schedules, particularly for those with fixed launch windows.

For instance, the next launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, scheduled for 14:45 EST (19:45 UTC) on October 29, 2023, is designed to deploy two NASA satellites destined for Mars. This mission requires an afternoon launch due to its trajectory, creating potential conflicts with the new FAA regulations. While NASA has a commercial contract with Blue Origin for this launch, it remains uncertain if the agency could request a waiver if the launch must be postponed.

In contrast, SpaceX, which is the most active launch provider in the U.S., may have more flexibility to adjust its launch schedules. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets typically deploy Starlink Internet satellites, and the company might choose to target orbital planes accessible during nighttime hours. However, other missions, such as one planned for the same week from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California, are constrained by specific launch windows that cannot easily shift.

Broader Implications and Effects

The impact of the shutdown is not confined to commercial space launches. NASA’s operations are also being affected, with civil servants and contractors at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida continuing to prepare for the Artemis II mission without pay. This mission, scheduled for early 2024, aims to send astronauts to the vicinity of the Moon, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration. Officials have indicated that the shutdown may lead to delays in the Artemis II timeline.

While some upcoming missions may avoid the FAA’s nighttime restrictions, such as a launch of a U.S.-European oceanography satellite later this month, the overall uncertainty surrounding the shutdown continues to overshadow the space industry. The shut down has become the longest in U.S. history, affecting a wide range of federal workers and operations.

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are engaged in negotiations to end the impasse, but a resolution remains elusive. Democrats are advocating for extensions of expiring tax credits and opposing cuts to Medicaid, further complicating discussions.

As the situation develops, the ramifications of the shutdown on air traffic safety and commercial space operations will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and federal authorities alike.