FAA Greenlights New SpaceX Starship Trajectories Over U.S. Mainland

Agency’s analysis estimates that proposed trajectories could impact thousands of American flights per year.

Jack Daleo

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

With FAA approval, SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket could fly over populated areas in Florida, California, Texas, and other U.S. states. [Credit: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX is closer to securing a modified launch license for its Starship rocket, with the FAA issuing a "finding of no significant impact" for new trajectories despite the need for Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) that will significantly impact commercial air traffic.
Aviation safety groups criticize the FAA's assessment as "vague," warning of potential debris hazards and questioning the agency's capacity to ensure national airspace safety while simultaneously promoting commercial space operations.
The article highlights a record surge in commercial spaceflight licenses, primarily driven by SpaceX's planned increase in Starship launches, escalating concerns over airspace management and safety.

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SpaceX this week moved one step closer to securing a launch license modification that would allow it to fly its gargantuan Starship rocket over portions of the mainland U.S., including Florida, Texas, and California.

The company will still need to obtain that modification from the FAA. But the regulator on Friday issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for SpaceX’s proposal to add new Starship launch trajectories to its Starbase pad in Texas.