Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $118,900 on Friday, surpassing its previous record of $113,822 set on Thursday. As Read more
Selling software to companies can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to meeting security requirements. Chas Ballew, founder Read more
Earlier this week, San Diego startup Gallant announced $18 million in funding to bring the first FDA-approved ready-to-use stem cell Read more
The world’s richest man buys out one of the most popular social media platforms and uses it as a propaganda Read more
As regulators consider SpaceX’s plans to launch the massive Starship rocket from Kennedy Space Center, concerns have been raised about potential disruptions to Florida airspace. Ground stops, reroutes, and delays of up to two hours could affect multiple airports in the state, including Orlando International, Miami International, Tampa International, and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International.
Impacts on Air Travel
The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) released by the Federal Aviation Administration indicates that average delays could range from 40 minutes to 2 hours for launches and Super Heavy booster landings, and 40 minutes to one hour for Starship reentries. Diversions and cancellations are also possible, according to the FAA.
Mitigation Strategies
To manage the risks associated with Starship launches, the FAA plans to establish Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) over potentially affected zones, similar to current practices for commercial space launches. Depending on the flight trajectory, these zones could overlay routes above the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and airspace in Central American countries.
Future Developments
Despite the potential challenges, SpaceX continues to push forward with its ambitious plans for Starship. The FAA has already engaged with aviation organizations and worked with SpaceX to develop launch and reentry trajectories. As the vehicle becomes more reliable, the size of airspace closures may decrease.
Overall, the FAA is exploring various mitigation strategies, including pre-coordinated reroutes, dynamic scheduling, and traffic flow management, to minimize operational disruptions. As SpaceX expands its operations to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, further collaboration and coordination will be essential to ensure the safety and efficiency of space launches in the future.
The U.S. Space Force is currently conducting an environmental review at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base to assess the impact of up to 76 annual Starship launches. The draft EIS for that site mentions potential airspace closures due to these launches, but the specifics are still being determined as the site undergoes preparations that may take months. Share your perspective and feedback with TechCrunch by filling out this survey to help us improve our coverage and events.
