Government Shutdown Grounds Daytime Launches for SpaceX and Other Private Space Companies
Source: Gizmodo
Government Shutdown Grounds Daytime Launches for SpaceX and Other Private Space Companies
The FAA issued a new order that assigns a time slot for commercial launches and reentries.
By Passant Rabie
Published November 7, 2025
Reading time 2 minutes
The wild west of private spaceflight just got a hint of order as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed new restrictions on when commercial missions can launch and reenter through Earth’s atmosphere.
The FAA issued a new order to temporarily restrict commercial space activities during peak hours for the navigable airspace, permitting private launches and reentries only between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time. The order, which goes into effect on Monday, is to “ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficiency of the National Airspace System,” as the government shutdown continues well into its second month.
Since the U.S. government shutdown began on October 1 due to a congressional failure to pass appropriations legislation for 2026, federal workers such as air traffic controllers have been working without pay. As a result, the FAA has chosen to prohibit certain operations in the navigable airspace to alleviate the pressure on some of the busiest airports in the country. That includes restricting the launch and reentry of private spaceflight, which requires an added layer of coordination between the two industries.
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Read more: https://gizmodo.com/government-shutdown-grounds-daytime-launches-for-spacex-and-other-private-space-companies-2000683084