The prospect of SpaceX’s ambitious Starship rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center has raised concerns among aviation regulators. Recent federal documents indicate that these launches could significantly disrupt air traffic in Florida, leading to potential delays of up to two hours for flights across the region.
Following the launch, the reentry phases of Starship’s two stages may necessitate ground stops at some of the busiest airports in the United States. This information comes from a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this month, highlighting the potential ripple effects on air travel.
Airports in Florida that may experience disruptions include major hubs such as Orlando International, Miami International, Tampa International, and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International. The FAA anticipates that average delays could range from 40 minutes to two hours during launches and Super Heavy booster landings, with reentries potentially causing delays of 40 minutes to one hour.
To mitigate risks associated with these launches, the FAA plans to establish Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) over regions that could be affected. This approach mirrors current practices for commercial space launches. Depending on the trajectory of the Starship flights, these zones may overlap with air routes over the Atlantic Ocean, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and even airspace in several Central American nations.
The draft EIS notes that the establishment of AHAs may require the closure of numerous coastal and deep-water oceanic airways over the Atlantic, necessitating significant rerouting of aircraft to avoid these areas.
Representatives from Tampa International Airport have indicated that they have not yet participated in any briefings or procedural planning with the FAA or SpaceX. However, they expect discussions to commence soon regarding the operational implications of these launches.
In contrast, Miami International Airport has reported that they have not received any updates regarding potential ground stops related to the Starship launches.
SpaceX has a long history of launching its Falcon rockets from the Florida coast, with an increased launch frequency since 2020. While over 80 Falcon rockets were launched from the Eastern Range last year without significant disruption to commercial airlines, the Starship’s larger size and developmental stage present new challenges. Unlike the Falcon rockets, which have a well-established launch pattern, Starship is still undergoing testing, with occasional failures during both ground tests and orbital flights.
The draft EIS emphasizes that the extent of airspace closures may vary with each Starship mission, potentially decreasing as the vehicle’s reliability improves.
According to an FAA spokesperson, the agency has already engaged with aviation organizations and collaborated with SpaceX to outline potential launch and reentry trajectories. Before any launch, the FAA will distribute a final Airspace Management Plan, taking into account various factors such as the number of affected passengers, the duration of the launch window, and major holidays.
Starship represents SpaceX’s next-generation launch system, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. Standing at 400 feet tall, the rocket consists of two stages: the upper stage, known as Starship, and the Super Heavy booster. Both stages are engineered for full reusability and rapid refurbishment, enabling high-frequency satellite deliveries and deep-space missions.
Currently, SpaceX conducts all Starship launch activities from its facility in south Texas, but plans to expand operations to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center have prompted this environmental review. The FAA is conducting this review in collaboration with NASA, the Air Force, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies.
The draft EIS anticipates up to 44 Starship launches annually, which could include an equal number of Super Heavy booster landings and Starship landings. The Super Heavy booster may return to the launch pad at LC-39A, land on a droneship, or be expended in the Atlantic. Similarly, Starship landings could occur at the launch pad, on a ship, or as water splashdowns with recovery operations in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian Oceans.
While the FAA acknowledges that temporary airspace closures may impact commercial airlines and other stakeholders, it suggests that mitigation strategies such as pre-coordinated reroutes, dynamic scheduling, and time-based traffic flow management could alleviate operational challenges.
Currently, the FAA employs a prototype tool called Space Data Integrator, which processes real-time flight data from SpaceX and other operators to minimize the duration of airspace closures. The agency aims to develop additional tools to enhance its situational awareness capabilities, gaining valuable data with each Starship launch.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Space Force is conducting a parallel environmental review at the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, which is evaluating the potential for up to 76 annual Starship launches. While the draft EIS for this site indicates that Starship launches would lead to airspace closures, specific details regarding these closures remain uncertain as preparations for the site are expected to take several months.