FAA Weighs Aircraft Versus Spacecraft Airspace Needs | Aviation International News

FAA Weighs Aircraft Versus Spacecraft Airspace Needs

With increasing space operations frequency and launch sites, the FAA is trying to strike a balance on aircraft and spacecraft airspace needs.

SpaceX Dragon launch — With launch sites and spacecraft activity increasing in the U.S., the FAA is seeking to better balance aircraft versus spacecraft airspace needs. (Photo: SpaceX)

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

April 25, 2023

Due to increasing spacecraft activity and a growing number of launch sites in the U.S., the FAA is taking additional steps to “optimize and equitably manage” the airspace in the vicinity of launch sites. To minimize disruptions, the agency has developed a set of objective factors to better balance the needs of commercial launch licensees, airlines, general aviation, and the military.

This work is in addition to the use of current tools and procedures that the agency claims have cut “airspace closures to an average of two hours instead of four hours per launch.”

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