A nighttime launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral to resupply the International Space Station.

There has been a significant increase in space launch activity in recent years, a trend that’s projected to continue as both government and the private sector test new technologies and explore possibilities offered in the realm of outer space. According to some estimates, space launches could potentially triple by 2030. Led by companies like Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and SpaceX, among others, the growth in commercial spaceflight offers new possibilities for the future but also introduces challenges for pilots and the airline industry.

The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) plays a crucial role in managing and licensing commercial space launch and reentry activities. The FAA AST office has been working to streamline the licensing process to handle the rising volume of launch applications. And while the FAA’s mission is to promote the growth of the commercial space industry, it must also safeguard the national airspace system (NAS), which is shared by commercial aviation. Balancing these priorities isn’t an easy task.

With more than 100 launches and reentries in 2024, SpaceX is perhaps the most dominant player among companies leading the surge in commercial space activity. Much of that is tied to its Starlink satellite constellation, which the company built to provide global satellite Internet access. Development of SpaceX’s heavy-lift Starship system promises to further accelerate the pace of launches. Companies like Blue Origin focus on suborbital space tourism and scientific research, while Rocket Lab is known for small satellite launches.

But the commercial space industry’s rapid growth raises serious safety concerns for commercial aviation. Each launch and reentry requires the FAA to segregate these space launches from airline operations for extended periods of time. For airlines, this can result in significant operational disruptions, including flight delays, longer routes, and increased fuel consumption.

ALPA plays an important role in ensuring that the interests of airline pilots are represented in discussions about commercial space integration. The Association works closely with the FAA and collaborates with stakeholders to develop policies that prioritize safe operations throughout the NAS. ALPA also advocates for the modernization of air traffic management systems to provide real-time air traffic services that can manage diverse types of traffic and NAS operations.

A recent in-flight breakup of a SpaceX Starship rocket highlights the significant risk posed by mixed commercial airline and commercial space operations. The rocket scattered debris over a wide area off the coastline of Florida and the Turks and Caicos Islands, prompting the air traffic controllers to divert commercial flights away from falling debris. According to news reports, approximately 240 flights were delayed because of the incident, many experiencing delays of an hour or more.

The Association has expressed concern regarding the lack of information disseminated to operators in the NAS about space launch and reentry activities, which is limited and often not provided in real time. Currently, information about protected airspace within the NAS isn’t communicated effectively, especially as it relates to areas that might contain debris in the event of a spaceflight failure.

“With the frequency of space launches only growing, now is the time to bring airspace users together to create standards and systems to avoid safety risks and disruptions caused by increased spaceflight,” says Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president. “Any safety risk posed to commercial airline operations is unacceptable, and it’s critical that a national space integration strategy includes establishing launch planning and recovery standards, creating protocols to make certain reentry of very large pieces of space debris occurs at predefined locations and times, and requiring notifications of pilots, airlines, and controllers not directly involved in a space launch about the risk level changes in the airspace.”

The Association has published two white papers on the subject of commercial space integration. The 2018 paper “Addressing the Challenges to Aviation from Evolving Space Transportation” calls for the FAA to fully integrate commercial space operations instead of the segregated operations in use today. Fully integrated operations would require the development of spacecraft design standards and operator certification. An updated paper released in 2019, “Safe Integration of Commercial Space Operations into the U.S. National Airspace System and Beyond,” focuses on oceanic air traffic management (where the majority of rockets operate after launch) and the need for technology advancements and collaborative decision-making between aviation and space sectors. Both white papers emphasize the importance of balancing innovation with public safety.

The FAA has acknowledged the challenges posed by the growing commercial space sector and has taken steps to involve the public and stakeholders in shaping policy. In January, the FAA held public meetings to discuss SpaceX’s proposal to increase the frequency of launches at its Boca Chica launch site in Texas. The proposed plan would allow an additional 25 launches and reentries per year, above the currently authorized number. Citizens and interest groups have voiced strong opposition to the plan, saying that such an increase raises important questions about the impact on communities and the environment.

As the commercial space industry continues to expand, the collaboration between aviation and space stakeholders will become even more critical in ensuring safe and efficient airspace management. Airspace is a limited resource, and as new entrants are granted access, there are going to be challenges with fully integrating them and ensuring that safety is maintained.

ALPA remains committed to strongly advocating for provisions so that safety isn’t compromised and tirelessly championing policies that protect pilots, passengers, and the overall safety of the air transportation system. The Association actively engages with the FAA, commercial space companies, and other regulatory bodies and stakeholders to develop forward-thinking strategies that address the challenges of an evolving airspace environment. With the rapid growth of commercial space operations, and the addition of other new entrants into the system, there’s an urgent need to modernize air traffic infrastructure and enhance real-time data-sharing systems to effectively manage the shared use of airspace.

“As we’ve added more traditional aircraft to the airspace, there’s been a trend toward lowering the separation standards,” said Capt. Doug Willey (United), ALPA’s Air Safety Organization Aviation Safety Group vice chair and Air Traffic Services Group chair. “Now, factor in the increase in commercial space operations and you start to get a sense of the challenges we’re facing. Integration is necessary, and we encourage it, but it should never be at the cost of safety.”