Starship Launch Delays: Florida Flights Could Face Up to 2-Hour Disruptions

SpaceX Starship Launches Could Disrupt Florida Airspace

Federal documents indicate that planned launches of SpaceX’s Starship rocket from Kennedy Space Center may significantly impact Florida airspace. These flights could necessitate ground stops at numerous airports, along with aircraft rerouting and potential delays reaching up to two hours.

Potential for Widespread Air Traffic Impacts

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) draft environmental impact statement (EIS) highlights that even after liftoff, the reentry of Starship’s two stages could trigger ground halts at some of the nation’s busiest airports.

Airports in Florida potentially affected include Orlando International, Miami International, Tampa International, and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International.

Delays stemming from launches and Super Heavy booster landings could average 40 minutes to 2 hours. Starship reentries might cause delays of 40 minutes to an hour. The FAA also acknowledges the possibility of flight diversions and cancellations, as detailed in an accompanying slide deck.

Aircraft Hazard Areas and Rerouting

To mitigate risks, the FAA intends to establish Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) encompassing potentially affected regions, mirroring current practices for commercial space launches. These zones, dependent on the Starship flight path, could extend over the Atlantic, portions of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and airspace within several Central American nations.

The draft EIS explains that AHAs may require the temporary closure of numerous coastal and deep-water oceanic airways over the Atlantic Ocean, leading to substantial aircraft rerouting.

Airport Awareness and FAA Coordination

Emily Nipps, a spokesperson for Tampa International Airport, stated that the airport had not yet been included in any briefings or procedural planning sessions with the FAA or SpaceX. However, following inquiries from TechCrunch, Nipps confirmed the airport was informed that such discussions would occur “soon.”

She noted that the operational impact, if any, remains currently unknown.

A representative from Miami International Airport reported they had not received any briefings regarding potential ground stops.

Distinction from Falcon Launches

SpaceX has been conducting launches of its Falcon rockets from Florida for several years, with increased frequency since 2020. These launches generally do not disrupt commercial air travel. However, Starship differs significantly from the Falcon rockets.

The Falcon’s smaller size results in a reduced potential debris footprint in the event of an anomaly. Furthermore, Falcon launches are now predictable and well-established. Starship is in an earlier developmental phase, experiencing occasional failures during both ground tests and orbital attempts.

The draft EIS acknowledges that the extent of airspace closures may vary with each Starship mission and could decrease as the vehicle’s reliability improves.

FAA Mitigation Strategies

An FAA spokesperson indicated the agency has already collaborated with aviation organizations and SpaceX to develop preliminary launch and reentry trajectories. Before each launch, the FAA will release a final Airspace Management Plan.

The agency considers factors like the number of affected passengers, launch window duration, and major holidays when determining launch feasibility.

Starship: A Next-Generation Launch System

Starship represents SpaceX’s next-generation launch system, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. The 400-foot-tall rocket consists of two stages: the Starship upper stage and the Super Heavy booster.

Both stages are intended to be fully reusable and rapidly refurbished for frequent satellite deployment and deep-space missions.

Expansion to Kennedy Space Center

Currently, SpaceX conducts all Starship launch activities from Starbase in South Texas. The company aims to expand operations to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, prompting the current environmental review.

This review is being conducted by the FAA in collaboration with NASA, the Air Force, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies.

Launch Frequency and Landing Scenarios

The draft EIS analyzes up to 44 Starship launches annually, potentially including 44 Super Heavy booster landings and 44 Starship landings. Super Heavy could land at LC-39A at KSC, on a droneship, or be expended in the Atlantic Ocean.

Starship landings could occur at the pad, on a ship, or via water splashdowns with recovery in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian Oceans.

Mitigation Through Technology and Coordination

The FAA believes that mitigation strategies, such as pre-coordinated reroutes, dynamic scheduling, and time-based traffic flow management, can minimize operational burdens caused by temporary airspace closures.

The FAA currently utilizes a tool called Space Data Integrator, which integrates real-time flight data from SpaceX and other operators to reduce airspace closure durations. The regulator intends to develop additional tools to enhance situational awareness and gather more operational data with each Starship launch.

Cape Canaveral Review

The U.S. Space Force is conducting a parallel environmental review at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, analyzing up to 76 annual Starship launches. The draft EIS for this site states that launches will result in airspace closures, but details are not yet available due to ongoing site preparation.