The FAA has issued an emergency order restricting commercial launches and reentries to 10 p.m.–6 a.m. to ease strain on air-traffic systems. Florida Tech expert Don Platt warns the schedule change could slow FAA reviews of commercial applications and create bottlenecks at the FCC for communications licensing. The order affects many missions from Florida’s Space Coast, which has recorded 92 launches this year, though national-priority flights such as ESCAPADE may still proceed.
FAA Orders Overnight-Only Window for Commercial Space Launches; Licensing Reviews May Slow
The FAA has issued an emergency order restricting commercial launches and reentries to 10 p.m.–6 a.m. to ease strain on air-traffic systems. Florida Tech expert Don Platt warns the schedule change could slow FAA reviews of commercial applications and create bottlenecks at the FCC for communications licensing. The order affects many missions from Florida’s Space Coast, which has recorded 92 launches this year, though national-priority flights such as ESCAPADE may still proceed.
03:36, 08.11.2025Technology
FAA issues emergency order limiting launches and reentries to overnight hours
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order requiring commercial space launches and reentries to take place only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., effective Monday. The restriction pauses daytime launch activity until further notice while regulators reallocate personnel and air-traffic capacity to off-hour operations.
Don Platt, head of aerospace, physics and space sciences at Florida Tech, said the move is intended to reduce strain on already busy air-traffic systems. "For air traffic, they’re cutting down on overall traffic," Platt said. "It makes sense there would be concerns about having launches take place during those very busy morning hours."
Platt warned the limits could have broader effects beyond launch windows. Staff reassigned to overnight duties may have less time to process pending FAA commercial licensing applications, which could slow approvals and create scheduling backlogs. "If this goes on, there’s not going to be people at the FAA with the time to review all of these applications," he said.
He also noted a potential bottleneck at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): commercial operators must secure communications licenses for RF systems and radios, and delays there could further disrupt launch schedules.
Florida’s Space Coast has recorded 92 launches so far this year, illustrating how many missions could be affected by the order. United Launch Alliance is continuing preparations for its ViaSat-3 mission, while Blue Origin’s New Glenn — which could carry a pair of NASA-bound satellites and the planned ESCAPADE mission to Mars — remains under review for an imminent launch. Platt said ESCAPADE is considered a national priority and may still proceed as planned.
The FAA describes the order as temporary. Launch providers and commercial operators are coordinating with regulators to adjust timelines and minimize mission impacts. Industry officials are monitoring the situation and awaiting further guidance from the FAA and FCC.