As regulators assess SpaceX’s ambitious plans to launch its colossal Starship rocket from Kennedy Space Center, federal documents indicate that these flights could significantly affect Florida’s airspace. This may lead to ground stops at various airports, reroutes, and potential delays of up to two hours.
Following the launch, the reentry of Starship’s two stages could necessitate ground stops at some of the busiest airports across the nation, as highlighted in a recent draft environmental impact statement (EIS) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airports that may experience disruptions due to these launches include Orlando International, Miami International, Tampa International, and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International.
Average delays could range from 40 minutes to two hours for launches and Super Heavy booster landings, with reentries causing delays of 40 minutes to one hour. Diversions and cancellations are also on the table, as noted by the FAA in a companion slide deck.
To mitigate risks, the FAA plans to establish Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) over regions that may be affected, similar to protocols for commercial space launches today. Depending on the Starship’s flight trajectory, these zones could overlap with flight paths over the Atlantic Ocean, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and airspace in several Central American nations.
The draft EIS states, “AHAs may require the closure of numerous coastal and deep-water oceanic airways over the Atlantic Ocean, necessitating significant rerouting of aircraft to avoid these areas.”
Emily Nipps, a spokesperson for Tampa International Airport, informed TechCrunch that the airport has not yet participated in briefings or procedural planning with the FAA or SpaceX. However, she noted that discussions would be forthcoming.
A representative from Miami International Airport echoed similar sentiments, stating that they have not received any briefings regarding potential ground stops.
While SpaceX has been launching its Falcon rockets from the Florida coast for years, the frequency has surged since 2020. Despite launching over 80 Falcon rockets from the Eastern Range last year, these operations typically do not disrupt commercial flights. In contrast, Falcon rockets are smaller and have a well-established launch routine, whereas Starship is still in its developmental phase, with vehicles occasionally experiencing failures during ground tests and orbital flights.
The draft EIS notes that the extent of airspace closures will vary with each Starship mission and could diminish as the vehicle gains reliability.
An FAA spokesperson mentioned that the agency has already collaborated with aviation organizations and SpaceX to outline potential launch and reentry trajectories. Before each launch, a final Airspace Management Plan will be distributed. The FAA considers several factors, including the number of passengers affected, launch window duration, and major holidays when determining the timing of a space launch.
Starship represents SpaceX’s next-generation launch system, engineered for missions to the Moon and Mars. Standing at 400 feet tall, the rocket comprises two stages: an upper stage known as Starship and a Super Heavy booster, both designed for full reusability and rapid refurbishment for frequent satellite delivery and deep space missions.
Currently, SpaceX conducts all Starship launch activities from Starbase in South Texas but seeks to expand its operations to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, necessitating this environmental review. The FAA, in collaboration with NASA, the Air Force, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies, is spearheading this review.
The draft EIS estimates up to 44 Starship launches annually, which could involve up to 44 Super Heavy booster landings and 44 Starship landings. Super Heavy may either land back at LC-39A, the launch pad at KSC, on a droneship, or be expended in the Atlantic. Starship landings could occur at the pad, on a ship, or via water splashdowns with recovery taking place in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian Oceans.
The FAA acknowledges in the draft EIS that while temporary airspace closures may disrupt commercial airlines and other stakeholders, “mitigation strategies such as pre-coordinated reroutes, dynamic scheduling, and time-based traffic flow management could alleviate operational burdens.”
Currently, the FAA utilizes a prototype tool called Space Data Integrator, which processes real-time flight data from SpaceX and other operators to minimize the duration of airspace closures. The regulator aims to develop additional tools to enhance its situational awareness capability, gaining valuable data with each Starship launch.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Space Force is conducting a parallel environmental review at the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, evaluating up to 76 annual Starship launches. While the draft EIS for that site confirms that Starship launches would lead to airspace closures, the specifics are still undetermined as preparations for the site are expected to take several months.
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