The ongoing US government shutdown has now lasted over a month, and its effects are starting to reach into space and air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued new rules to keep things safe as staffing issues caused by the shutdown threaten to cause delays and safety risks in the skies.

FAA restrictions slow down space launches and flights

The FAA has temporarily banned most commercial rocket launches during peak air traffic hours. This means launches are now limited to late at night, between 10 pm and 6 am local time. The goal is to reduce risks caused by staffing shortages at air traffic control centers. Because air traffic controllers are considered essential workers, they continue working without pay until Congress passes a budget and the president signs it into law.

This change affects companies like SpaceX, which often launches its Starlink satellites during night hours. SpaceX has some flexibility to schedule launches in less busy orbital windows, but missions with strict timing, like those going to the International Space Station, must follow narrow launch windows based on the orbit’s position relative to Earth.

Impact on upcoming missions and broader space activity

One of the next scheduled launches is Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, set to deploy two NASA satellites bound for Mars. Because of the mission’s timing, this launch has to happen in the afternoon, making it tricky to fit into the new FAA restrictions. The launch is licensed by the FAA under a commercial contract, but if delays extend into next week, NASA’s acting administrator might need to request a special waiver.

Another upcoming SpaceX mission, planned for Tuesday, will send small satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit from California. However, technical issues with another satellite launch have already caused delays, and the window for launch is shrinking. Meanwhile, some missions, like a US-European oceanography satellite set for later this month, are not affected because they don’t require FAA licensing.

The shutdown’s ripple effects are also felt at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crews are continuing preparations for the Artemis II mission, which aims to send astronauts around the Moon. But many civil servants and contractors are working without pay, raising concerns about potential schedule delays. This mission is crucial because it will mark the first crewed lunar orbit in over 50 years.

Why the shutdown continues and its wider consequences

The deadlock in Washington over funding has now broken the record for the longest government shutdown in US history. Democrats want to extend certain tax credits to lower health insurance costs and oppose cuts to Medicaid, while Republicans and the White House hold firm on budget demands. Without a deal, many federal agencies and programs remain frozen, affecting everything from space exploration to daily air travel.

The shutdown’s impact on space activities underscores how interconnected government funding, safety, and innovation are. While some private companies can continue launches with existing schedules, the overall slowdown and staffing shortages could cause longer delays and higher costs. The situation highlights how government support is vital for maintaining safe and reliable space and air operations, especially during tough times like these.

Inspired by

• https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/11/faa-says-commercial-rockets-must-launch-at-night-citing-government-shutdown/

Sources

• conde.digital
• cnevids.com
• cbsnews.com
• faa.gov
• spaceflightnow.com