FAA restricts daytime commercial rocket launches due to US government shutdown
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is imposing an indefinite ban on daytime commercial rocket launches due to the government shutdown. The new restrictions will take effect on November 10 at 6:00 AM Eastern Time (11:00 AM GMT) and will be in effect daily from 6:00 AM (11:00 AM GMT) to 10:00 PM (3:00 AM GMT).
What is known
The FAA explains that these measures will help reduce the load on airspace control, particularly in Florida (Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station) and in California (Vandenberg Base). Due to a record number of air traffic delays, these restrictions aim to reduce risks and allow more efficient air traffic management.
The most affected will be SpaceX, which has conducted over 140 Starlink launches in 2025, and regularly launches satellites into low Earth orbit. Other private operators will also have to revise their schedules.
The restrictions come into effect immediately after the NASA mission to Mars, which will remain the last allowed daytime launch for an indefinite period.
Source: Space.com
