By Emma Wu
The FAA managed the US airspace for a record breaking 92 space missions in 2022, 33% up from the year prior. The Federal Aviation Administration is in charge of the US airspace, managing flights and launches, mitigating travel disruptions, and mapping different flight routes to ensure enough space for all flights. With increased numbers of launches, the puzzle of managing all these flights becomes ever more confusing.
Space is cheaper now. Operators and private companies can now get into space, not just nation states. Companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are launching more rockets than ever, leading to increased competition for air space. Not long ago, these companies were only notions, but now, launches take place nearly every week. With such a drastic shift in the paradigm, America’s airspace, once so vast, appears to shrink every day.
However, despite the difficulty of managing increasing numbers of flights and launches, the FAA managed a new record of space missions, and expects more next year. Some strategies for managing the airspace include minimizing the amount of time that the airspace is closed and expanding beyond popular launch spots, such as Florida, to other more out-of-the-way places, such as Alaska.
In addition, they are working collaboratively with NASA to avoid possible air collisions and impacts, while minimizing the impact on aviation. With the ever-changing technology, more and more cooperation between groups and people is necessary to ensure a safe airspace for everyone.
