The FAA has issued an emergency order restricting commercial launches and reentries to 10 p.m.–6 a.m., forcing companies to move daytime activity into night windows. Don Platt of Florida Tech says the measure aims to reduce strain on the already busy air-traffic system and could delay FAA reviews of pending applications. He also warned that FCC-issued communications licenses for RF systems may face complications. Despite the restrictions, Florida's Space Coast has logged 92 launches this year and some priority missions are expected to proceed.
FAA Forces Commercial Space Launches Into Nighttime Windows — What It Means for Space Firms
The FAA has issued an emergency order restricting commercial launches and reentries to 10 p.m.–6 a.m., forcing companies to move daytime activity into night windows. Don Platt of Florida Tech says the measure aims to reduce strain on the already busy air-traffic system and could delay FAA reviews of pending applications. He also warned that FCC-issued communications licenses for RF systems may face complications. Despite the restrictions, Florida's Space Coast has logged 92 launches this year and some priority missions are expected to proceed.
23:41, 08.11.2025Technology
FAA emergency order restricts commercial launches to 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an emergency order requiring commercial space launches and reentries to take place only between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. starting Monday. The restriction pauses daytime commercial launch activity during peak flight hours and will remain in effect until the FAA lifts the order.
Don Platt, head of aerospace, physics and space sciences at Florida Tech, said the step is intended to ease pressure on the national air-traffic system during already congested periods.
“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 order could have broader consequences beyond shifting launch windows. He said the FAA's redirected resources may slow the agency's review of pending commercial launch applications, creating scheduling uncertainty for companies.
“If this goes on, there's not going to be people at the FAA with the time to review all of these applications,” Platt said. He also noted that commercial operators rely on communications licenses for radio-frequency systems issued through the Federal Communications Commission, and those processes could face knock-on delays.
Local launch activity and priority missions
Florida's Space Coast has recorded 92 launches so far this year. Industry programs continue to move forward: United Launch Alliance is preparing for its ViaSat-3 mission, and Blue Origin's New Glenn — which is reported to be carrying a pair of NASA satellites bound for Mars — could still target a near-term launch.
Platt added that some missions deemed national priorities are likely to proceed as planned. “The next Blue Origin should be the ESCAPADE mission to Mars,” he said. “That's considered a national priority, so that launch should probably go as planned.”
This emergency order underscores how tightly integrated commercial space operations are with national aviation and communications systems. Companies will need to adapt schedules, and regulators will have to manage both safety and throughput while maintaining oversight.