Spaceflight has its own licensing regime under the Space Industry Act 2018 and the Space Industry Regulations 2021, run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the spaceflight regulator. The rules for airlines, such as the air operator certificate and the Air Navigation Order 2016, do not apply to spaceflight.
The Act requires a separate licence for each role. An operator licence covers launching, returning or operating a launch vehicle. A spaceport licence covers operating the site. A range control licence covers providing range control services. You do not need your own licence to work as an employee or agent of someone whose licence covers the activity.
Operator licence
Spaceport and range control licences
Liability and insurance
Every operator licence must state a limit on how much you must repay the government if it pays claims arising from your activities.
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The right licence for each role
Apply to the CAA for an operator licence, a spaceport licence or a range control licence, depending on what you will do.
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A safety case
Prepare a safety case and assessments of the risks to people and the environment for the CAA to review with your application.
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Security arrangements
Set out how you will protect your site, vehicles and information, as the CAA asks in your application.
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Liability insurance
Arrange third-party liability insurance at the level your licence sets before any licensed activity starts.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Browse UK legislation (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk