Washington, DCFAA safety alert focuses on space launches |
The FAA is alerting operators about safety issues that can arise from the rapid growth of space launch operations in the US
As space launches become more frequent, the agency’s guidance underscores that the safe integration of space and traditional air traffic operations hinges on collaboration, careful preflight planning and inflight awareness among pilots and operators, and real-time responsiveness.
SAFO 26001 focuses on the airspace management challenges that accompany these activities, especially the potential for catastrophic failures that produce debris fields capable of endangering aircraft. The alert encourages operators to proactively consider how launch operations might disrupt planned routes and day-of-operation traffic flows.
Blue Origin New Shepard lifts off.
The FAA creates an airspace management plan for each launch, which outlines TFRs, aircraft hazard areas (AHA) and debris response areas (DRA) that may be needed to safeguard air traffic. AHAs and TFRs are typically disseminated through NOTAMs, alerting pilots to areas and altitudes where flights should avoid during launch windows.
SAFO 26001 advises flight planners and crews to integrate space launch considerations into their routine procedures. Pilots also are encouraged to maintain heightened situational awareness around areas where debris may fall and to ensure they carry sufficient fuel reserves to accommodate unexpected changes in routing.
In cases where an anomaly occurs - such as a launch failure - air traffic control may activate a DRA, reroute aircraft away from danger and broadcast alerts to affected flights.
“Some of these pre-published AHA’s affect significant amounts of airspace,” said Dean Snell, senior manager, NBAA Air Traffic Services. “The size of the AHA is usually determined by the predictability of the launch vehicles and boosters. For this reason, launches of prototype and early development vehicles cover more airspace due to the lower predictability of the flight path. We also see more complex AHA’s for the larger launch vehicles such as SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin New Glenn.
“The DRA’s will be noted in advance via NOTAM but will not be officially implemented unless there is a non-nominal event with the launch vehicles or boosters,” Snell added. “Due to the weather and atmospheric requirements for launches, it is somewhat common to see AHA’s cancel at the last minute and be reactivated the subsequent days.”
BlueSky Business Aviation News | 22nd January 2026 | Issue #827
