Private space companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX will soon feel the impact of US government shutdown which is already the longest in the country’s history (38 days). Owing to shortage of staff members, the US government announced Friday that it will reduce number of flights from 40 high-traffic airports by 10% and restrict the number of commercial rocket launches during peak hours starting November 10.
In a post on X, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy shared an official statement outlining the measures taken to ensure safety.
.@USDOT has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety.
This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay.
It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because… pic.twitter.com/YRrq5sdy4T
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 7, 2025
The government has directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure rocket launches can only take place between 10 PM EST to 6 AM EST (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM IST). The restrictions will limit launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Station in California which have the highest traffic.
Bad news for NASA’s ESCAPADE mission?
Blue Origin is set to launch NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars during a 2.5-hour window opening at 2:45 PM EDT (1:15 AM IST) on its New Glenn rocket on November 9. If all goes well, the launch will take place on schedule otherwise the mission team may have to find another suitable window if it gets delayed for some reason beyond 15 hours.
Following the government announcement, Blue Origin said it is working with the FAA to ensure the timely launch. “We have been working closely with the FAA to ensure that New Glenn’s upcoming launch of the ESCAPADE Mission to Mars can proceed,” the company posted on X Saturday. “We will continue to work with the FAA to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.”
We have been working closely with the FAA to ensure that New Glenn’s upcoming launch of the ESCAPADE Mission to Mars can proceed. We will continue to work with the FAA to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) November 7, 2025
Blue Origin seems to be on track for the mission as the company’s CEO Dave Limp shared a picture of the ESCAPADE spacecraft integrated with the New Glenn rocket on Saturday. “Proud to support NASA as we prepare to deliver this mission to study Mars’ magnetosphere. Next step: close out inspections and rollout,” Limp wrote on X.
The ESCAPADE twin spacecraft are now integrated with New Glenn. Proud to support @NASA as we prepare to deliver this mission to study Mars’ magnetosphere. Next step: close out inspections and rollout. pic.twitter.com/NptbJ2Lydk
— Dave Limp (@davill) November 7, 2025
With ESCAPADE, Blue Origin will not only attempt to launch its first Mars mission but also try to land New Glenn’s first stage booster at sea. It had plans to land the booster on New Glenn’s debut mission in January but failed.
Another company that will surely be affected by the restriction is Elon Musk‘s SpaceX, which has the highest launch cadence of any American rocket firm. While it launches missions for private companies, most of them are dedicated to expand the Starlink constellation which already has close to 9,000 satellites.
ALSO READ: ESCAPADE: Why It May Be NASA’s Most Important Mars Mission In Years
ALSO READ: ‘Mars Is Not A Great Place’: Avi Loeb Derides Elon Musk’s Colonisation Dream
