Trump’s transportation head imposes a space launch curfew. Here’s why.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restrict when commercial rockets can be launched, citing severe strain on the nation’s air traffic control system amid the current government shutdown.

In a emergency order released Friday, the FAA said the trade space Launches and reentries will be limited to nighttime hours, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, starting Monday. The curfew is part of several new measures aimed at easing pressure on the national airspace system. The same order also directs airlines at 40 major U.S. airports to reduce flights by up to 10 percent to alleviate “stress on the system.”

Air traffic controllers have not been paid since the shutdown began in early October, and the number of worker absences has increased. The resulting staff shortages slowed operations and caused numerous flight delays.

“My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This is not about politics,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is concurrently acting administrator of the NASAIn a declaration. “It is safe to fly today, and it will be safe again next week thanks to the proactive measures we are taking.”

Duffy, who posts several times a day on social media, has often blamed Democrats for the consequences of the shutdown. He shared a video of himself on Friday, talking to air travelers at airports and asking people if the discounts were a good decision.

Such limitations on commercial space launches are rare – perhaps unprecedented – and could affect some future missions. The first mission that should fall under the restriction is a EspaceX Falcon 9 flight carrying Starlink satellites. It is now scheduled for Monday evening or early Tuesday morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

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Blue Origin is planned New Glenn launch, which will transport Mars twin spacecraft for NASA, is expected to take off this Sunday, before restrictions come into effect; however, any delay could push it back into the following days.

“We have worked closely with the FAA to ensure that New Glenn’s next launch of the ESCAPADE mission to Mars can take place,” the company said in a statement. a message on X. “We will continue to work with the FAA to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.”

The FAA can modify or lift restrictions if companies request changes and demonstrate “good cause,” according to the order. The agency plans to rescind the curfew, along with other operational limits, once the government restores funding and tension is relieved.