Be Not a Statistic

Since 2021, the cadence of U.S. commercial space launch and reentry operations has increased from a yearly average of three such licensed undertakings to approximately two per-week—an increase of 1,733-percent.

As the commercial space industry has grown, the FAA has developed an operating infrastructure by which the safety of the public and all National Airspace System (NAS) users, including general aviation, is ensured—ostensibly.

It is incumbent upon GA pilots to understand a number of key terms and concepts germane to aircraft operations in the vicinity of space launch and reentry corridors—the majority of which are addressed in 14 CFR section 91.143: Flight limitation in the proximity of space flight operations. Subject guidance states:

When a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) is issued in accordance with this section, no person may operate any aircraft of U.S. registry, or pilot any aircraft under the authority of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, within areas designated in a NOTAM for space flight operation except when authorized by [air traffic control (ATC)].

Another regulatory element salient to aircraft safety within proximity of space launch operations is the Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA) as noted in 14 CFR part 450: Launch and Reentry License Requirements. Subject parcels of airspace are designated for purpose of separating atmospheric aircraft from space launch and reentry operations. The FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary defines AHAs thus:

Used by air traffic control to segregate air traffic from a launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, amateur rocket, jettisoned stages, hardware, or falling debris generated by failures associated with any of these activities. An AHA is designated via NOTAM as either a TFR or stationary altitude reservation (ALTRV). Unless otherwise specified, the vertical limits of an AHA are from the surface to unlimited.

The aforementioned Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) and restricted areas are those most likely to be graphically depicted on flight-planning charts prior to space launches. Flight-planning apps and NOTAMs associated with space launch operations may, however, reference Altitude Reservations (ALTRV) or Airspace Utilization under prescribed conditions normally employed for the mass movement of aircraft or other special user requirements which cannot otherwise be accomplished. The ALTRV protects the airspace under projected launch areas and debris fields, often further, laterally, from the launch sites.

The presence of atmospheric aircraft in the vicinity of space launch operations occasions serious danger to pilots, their passengers, and personnel bound to and returning from space. What’s more, the business of scrubbing and rescheduling space launches is an expensive one—so expensive, in fact, that being forced to do so on account of an interloping civil aircraft is likely to compel organizations the likes of NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Axiom, Rocket Lab, etc. to paroxysms of litigiousness.

The FAA, by dint of a comprehensive system of advisories and airspace closures, has strived to contemporaneously assure public safety and improve the efficient and egalitarian use of the U.S. National Airspace System in the vicinity of space launch and reentry operations. In so doing, the agency has halved the duration of space launch-associated airspace closures from four-hours to only two-hours—and in some cases as little as thirty minutes. Notwithstanding past accomplishments, maintaining the prevailing tenor of safety and efficiency is a collective effort shared in equal parts by the FAA and the users of the NAS. Ergo, General Aviation pilots are encouraged to:

• Familiarizing themselves with planned spaceflight operations and remain well clear of such.
• Undertake additional preflight planning to include checking all NOTAMs and planning data pertaining to proposed flight operations.
• Request Flight Following from ATC—if possible.

Further information pertaining to AHAs is presented in the feature article titled Let’s Give ‘Em Some Space, as published in the May/June 2023 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine.

FMI: www.faa.gov