FAA Order Restricting Launch Hours Could Affect Upcoming SpaceX Missions from Vandenberg

The recent order by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limiting commercial space launches to nighttime hours could potentially affect upcoming SpaceX launches at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. 

On November 5, 2025, the FAA announced a temporary reduction in flights at 40 high-traffic airports nationwide, citing air traffic controller fatigue and staffing constraints caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown. 

According to the order, commercial space launches and reentries are permitted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time from November 10, 2025. 

In California, the order is expected to impact the launches and reentries of SpaceX missions at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, where the company conducts multiple launches. 

Both the Vandenberg Space Force Base and SpaceX have yet to comment on the FAA’s order. 

The Falcon 9’s launch of the Transporter-15 Mission is scheduled from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 11, 2025, according to SpaceX. 

The 57-minute launch window begins at 10:18 a.m. PT, and there will be a backup opportunity on November 13, 2025, if needed, the spaceflight company said. 

This will be the 30th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. 

In addition to the Falcon 9 launch, SpaceX will launch NASA’s Sentinel-6B mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 17, 2025, according to SpaceX. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:21 p.m. PT. 

Sentinel-6B will use radar to bounce signals off the ocean’s surface to deliver a steady stream of ocean topography measurements. The mission will take over from Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, which Falcon-9 launched in November 2020.

SpaceX has another Falcon 9 launch scheduled from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 20, 2025. However, no time is mentioned for the mission’s liftoff. 

A Falcon 9 carrying 28 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg on November 6, 2025, marking the 61st launch or missile test from the base this year, according to its social media.

SpaceX was looking to expand operations at the Vandenberg Space Force Base and had received the approval from the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to double launch operations in California. On October 10, 2025, the DAF authorized up to 100 Falcon rocket launches per year, up from 50 Falcon 9 launches annually.  

Limiting space launches to specific hours could mean that residents will now be able to hear sonic booms at night. A sonic boom is a brief, thunder-like noise that residents can hear when an object travels faster than the speed of sound. 

Although sonic booms do not cause injury, the loud sound can be startling and may awaken residents. 

Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties can experience one or more sonic booms during the launch of NASA’s Sentinel-6B, SpaceX informed.