As record rocket launches crowd airspace, the FAA fights to limit travel disruptions
WASHINGTON - Space companies are launching more rockets than ever, ratcheting up competition for air space just as travelers return to flying in droves — and leaving the Federal Aviation Administration in the middle to keep things moving, Michael Sheetz and Leslie Josephs report for CNBC. Continue reading original article.
The Military + Aerospace Electronics take:
13 February 2022 - Speaking to CNBC, FAA's space operations manager Duane Freer says, “Space is cheap now. Operators can get to space and it’s not just nation states, it’s now private companies — that’s a huge change in the paradigm. We’ve made significant strides in lessening the impact and managing the airspace much more efficiently for launch and reentry missions. It wasn’t that long ago that SpaceX was a new company and these were all notional ideas.”
The majority of commercial launches from companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin take place in Florida, which sees a lot of air travel not only as a heavily populated state, but also a popular travel destination.
The FAA is in contact with airlines to ensure airspace is clear for commercial rocket launches ahead of, during, and after takeoff.
“Generally the impact to the aviation community is in reroutes,” Freer said. “We don’t see the traditional delays – with ground delay programs or ground stops – associated with launches.”
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Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
