Government Shutdown Grounds Daytime Launches for SpaceX and Other Private Space Companies

The wild west of private spaceflight just got a hint of order as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed new restrictions on when commercial missions can launch and reenter through Earth’s atmosphere.

The FAA issued a new order to temporarily restrict commercial space activities during peak hours for the navigable airspace, permitting private launches and reentries only between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time. The order, which goes into effect on Monday, is to “ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficiency of the National Airspace System,” as the government shutdown continues well into its second month.

Since the U.S. government shutdown began on October 1 due to a congressional failure to pass appropriations legislation for 2026, federal workers such as air traffic controllers have been working without pay. As a result, the FAA has chosen to prohibit certain operations in the navigable airspace to alleviate the pressure on some of the busiest airports in the country. That includes restricting the launch and reentry of private spaceflight, which requires an added layer of coordination between the two industries.

Needless to say, SpaceX, which has already launched over 100 rockets this year, likely won’t be happy with the FAA’s order. Nor will other launch providers, like United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin. Timing is often critical for space-based missions, and restricting launches to overnight windows could result in delays, increased costs, or even cause some payloads to miss their optimal launch opportunities.

Crowded airspace

Airlines have been forced to share airspace with the booming rocket industry, with an increasing number of launches and reentries that require temporary airspace closures and force rerouting of flights. The FAA is working on new ways to manage the shared airspace through better air traffic management and overall coordination efforts.

Earlier this year, the budget reconciliation bill proposed that the FAA begin charging licensing fees to rocket companies starting next year. Private rocket companies like SpaceX are required to pay small fees to the FAA to cover the application process for launch and reentry licenses. In return, the FAA clears airspace of commercial and private flights during rocket launches and along the path of reentry.

The FAA initially waived fees for space companies to help the industry grow in its early years, but the industry is way past its earlier growing pains. Airlines, on the other hand, do pay fees to the FAA, which go into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund that makes up nearly half the administration’s annual budget.

The new order was issued “to address safety risks and delays presented by air traffic controller staffing constraints,” according to the FAA. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 3, raising major concerns for safety and the ability to maintain operations. It’s not clear how long the order will be in effect or how it will impact the ongoing operations of private spaceflight in the meantime.