As record rocket launches crowd airspace, the FAA fights to limit travel disruptions
As record rocket launches crowd airspace, the FAA fights to limit travel disruptions 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 FAA in the middle to keep things moving. The FAA has long been responsible for overseeing US airspace, mitigating air travel disruptions due to weather, military events or technical glitches. Add in the rapidly expanding space launch market, and the complicated puzzle-work of making room in the skies gets all the more delicate. Some of the agency's strategies for addressing the growing demand include minimizing the time airspace is closed and expanding beyond popular travel spots like Florida to launch sites as far away as Alaska. "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," said Duane Freer, manager of the FAA's Air Traffic Organization Space Operations office. "We've made significant strides in lessening the impact and managing the airspace much more efficiently for launch and reentry missions," Freer told CNBC. "It wasn't that long ago that SpaceX was a new company and these were all notional ideas." The FAA managed US airspace for a record-breaking 92 space missions in 2022, up 33% from the year prior, and it expects to top that this year. That number includes both rocket launches and capsule reentries, and has been steadily climbing. Most of last year's missions launched from Florida, straining airspace in a state that already has a unique air traffic control challenge: the Sunshine State has drawn more and more travelers in recent years and faces frequent thunderstorms several months a year. Airlines operated 722,180 flights to, from and within Florida last year, marking a faster recovery to pre-pandemic flying levels in the state than the national average. Miami International Airport announced 2022 was a record-breaking year for passengers.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2023-02-10/general/as-record-rocket-launches-crowd-airspace-the-faa-fights-to-limit-travel-disruptions
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/logo.png
As record rocket launches crowd airspace, the FAA fights to limit travel disruptions
As record rocket launches crowd airspace, the FAA fights to limit travel disruptions 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 FAA in the middle to keep things moving. The FAA has long been responsible for overseeing US airspace, mitigating air travel disruptions due to weather, military events or technical glitches. Add in the rapidly expanding space launch market, and the complicated puzzle-work of making room in the skies gets all the more delicate. Some of the agency's strategies for addressing the growing demand include minimizing the time airspace is closed and expanding beyond popular travel spots like Florida to launch sites as far away as Alaska. "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," said Duane Freer, manager of the FAA's Air Traffic Organization Space Operations office. "We've made significant strides in lessening the impact and managing the airspace much more efficiently for launch and reentry missions," Freer told CNBC. "It wasn't that long ago that SpaceX was a new company and these were all notional ideas." The FAA managed US airspace for a record-breaking 92 space missions in 2022, up 33% from the year prior, and it expects to top that this year. That number includes both rocket launches and capsule reentries, and has been steadily climbing. Most of last year's missions launched from Florida, straining airspace in a state that already has a unique air traffic control challenge: the Sunshine State has drawn more and more travelers in recent years and faces frequent thunderstorms several months a year. Airlines operated 722,180 flights to, from and within Florida last year, marking a faster recovery to pre-pandemic flying levels in the state than the national average. Miami International Airport announced 2022 was a record-breaking year for passengers.<br/>
