Operating in the UK space sector requires licensing from the UK Space Agency (satellites) or Civil Aviation Authority (launches and spaceports). The Space Industry Act 2018 modernised UK space regulation to support commercial space activities.

UK Space Industry Licensing

Licensing requirements for space activities under the Space Industry Act 2018

Primary regulator: UK Space Agency (UKSA) for satellites, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for launch/spaceport
Primary legislation: Space Industry Act 2018 and Outer Space Act 1986
Licence types: Orbital Launch, Sub-orbital Launch, Satellite Operator, Spaceport, Range Licence
Launch application fee: £10,000-50,000 (cost recovery basis)
Launch processing time: 6-12 months depending on payload and safety assessments
Launch insurance requirement: Third-party liability £100 million to £1 billion depending on risk
Satellite application fee: £30,000-100,000 (cost recovery basis)
Satellite processing time: 3-9 months for UKSA review
In-orbit liability: Unlimited third-party liability under Outer Space Act 1986
LEO de-orbit requirement: LEO satellites must de-orbit within 25 years of end-of-life
Frequency coordination: Satellite operators must obtain radio spectrum authorisation from Ofcom

Satellite operator licensing

If you're a UK-registered company or operating a satellite from UK territory, you need a licence from the UK Space Agency under the Outer Space Act 1986 and Space Industry Act 2018.

How to Obtain a UK Satellite Operator Licence

Step-by-step process for obtaining a satellite operator licence from the UK Space Agency.

Step 1 - Determine licensing requirement: If you're a UK-registered company or operating a satellite from UK territory, you need a licence under the Outer Space Act 1986 and Space Industry Act 2018.
Step 2 - Pre-application consultation: Contact the UK Space Agency licensing team at least 12 months before your planned launch. Discuss your satellite mission, orbital parameters, and regulatory requirements.
Step 3 - Prepare licence application: Complete the UKSA satellite operator licence application form. Provide satellite technical specifications, orbital parameters, payload details, mission profile, and end-of-life disposal plan.
Step 4 - Orbital debris mitigation plan: Submit a detailed plan showing how you'll comply with Space Industry Regulations 2021 on debris mitigation. LEO satellites must de-orbit within 25 years of end-of-life.
Step 5 - Obtain third-party liability insurance: Arrange insurance covering third-party liability for your satellite operations. Typical coverage: £100 million+. Provide certificate of insurance with application.
Step 6 - Frequency coordination with Ofcom: Apply to Ofcom for radio spectrum authorisation for your satellite's communications frequencies. Coordinate with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for orbital slot and frequency allocation.
Step 7 - UKSA technical assessment: UK Space Agency will review your application for compliance with UK space law, international treaties, and technical standards. This takes 3-9 months depending on complexity.
Step 8 - Licence conditions and ongoing compliance: If approved, UKSA issues a licence with conditions covering frequency management, debris mitigation, end-of-life disposal, and annual reporting. You must submit annual returns reporting on satellite operations, any anomalies, orbital changes, and compliance with licence conditions.

Launch licensing

Conducting orbital or sub-orbital launches from UK territory requires a launch licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. Launch operations face stringent safety and insurance requirements.

How to Obtain a UK Launch Licence

Step-by-step process for obtaining a launch licence from the Civil Aviation Authority for orbital or sub-orbital launches from UK territory.

Step 1 - Confirm launch site approval: Your launch site must have a Range Licence from CAA, or you must use an approved spaceport (e.g., SaxaVord in Shetland, Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay).
Step 2 - Prepare safety case: Develop a comprehensive safety analysis covering public safety, environmental impact, debris analysis, collision avoidance, and emergency response procedures.
Step 3 - Obtain payload approvals: All payloads must be approved. If carrying foreign payloads, ensure export control compliance. Commercial payloads may require separate UKSA satellite operator licences.
Step 4 - Arrange third-party liability insurance: Obtain insurance covering third-party liability for launch operations. Typical coverage: £100 million to £1 billion depending on payload value and risk assessment.
Step 5 - Submit launch licence application to CAA: Provide launch vehicle specifications, payload manifest, flight trajectory, safety case, environmental impact assessment, and insurance certificates. Application fee: £10,000-50,000 (cost recovery).
Step 6 - CAA safety assessment: Civil Aviation Authority will review your application focusing on public safety, airspace management, environmental protection, and compliance with Space Industry Act 2018. Allow 6-12 months for review.
Step 7 - Launch licence issued: If approved, CAA issues a launch licence valid for a specific launch window. Licence may be single-use or multi-launch depending on application. Conditions will specify safety requirements, monitoring, and reporting.
Step 8 - Launch notification and post-launch reporting: Notify CAA 24-72 hours before launch. After launch, report on success, any anomalies, orbital insertion accuracy, and compliance with licence conditions.

Regulatory coordination

Space activities require coordination across multiple regulators. Satellite operators must obtain radio spectrum authorisation from Ofcom for frequency coordination. Launch activities require coordination with aviation authorities due to airspace impacts. Larger projects may need environmental impact assessments.

Satellite operator regulator: UK Space Agency (UKSA) under Outer Space Act 1986
Launch and spaceport regulator: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under Space Industry Act 2018
Launch and spaceport licence fee: No charge for launch operator, return operator, or spaceport licences
Satellite licence fee: Charged on cost-recovery basis (see CAA Scheme of Charges)
Satellite licence processing time: 3 to 9 months depending on complexity
Launch licence processing time: 6 to 12 months depending on payload and safety assessment
Third-party liability insurance (satellite): Typically £100 million or more
Third-party liability insurance (launch): £100 million to £1 billion depending on risk assessment
LEO de-orbit requirement: Low Earth Orbit satellites must de-orbit within 25 years of end of life
Frequency coordination: Satellite operators must obtain radio spectrum authorisation from Ofcom

Determine which licence you need

Satellite operators need a UKSA licence under the Outer Space Act 1986. Launch operators, return operators, and spaceports need a CAA licence under the Space Industry Act 2018.
Contact the regulator early

Contact the UK Space Agency or CAA licensing team at least 12 months before your planned launch date. Pre-application consultation is strongly recommended for all licence types.
Prepare your application

Include satellite or launch vehicle specifications, orbital parameters, payload details, mission profile, debris mitigation plan, insurance certificates, and end-of-life disposal plan.
Apply to Ofcom for radio spectrum authorisation

If operating a satellite, apply to Ofcom for frequency coordination. Coordinate with the International Telecommunication Union for orbital slot and frequency allocation.
Arrange third-party liability insurance

Obtain insurance covering third-party liability. Coverage levels depend on risk assessment — typically £100 million or more for satellites, up to £1 billion for launches.
Comply with licence conditions

Submit annual returns covering satellite operations, anomalies, orbital changes, and compliance. Report any incidents to the regulator immediately.

Space licensing resources

Use these resources to understand licensing requirements and apply for space activity licences.

CAA space licences and permissions
Full list of licence types under the Space Industry Act 2018 — launch, spaceport, orbital operator, and range control.
CAA
Apply for a UK Space Agency licence
Satellite operator licensing under the Outer Space Act 1986.
GOV.UK
CAA orbital operator fees
Fee schedule for orbital operator licences under the Space Industry Act 2018.
CAA
Ofcom satellite filing and coordination
Radio spectrum authorisation for satellite communications frequencies.
Ofcom
UK spaceflight programme
Government strategy for the UK space sector and spaceflight regulation.
GOV.UK

Business Context Testing

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Guvnor

UK Space Industry Licensing

Satellite operator licensing

Launch licensing

Regulatory coordination

Determine which licence you need

Contact the regulator early

Prepare your application

Apply to Ofcom for radio spectrum authorisation

Arrange third-party liability insurance

Comply with licence conditions

Compliance Assistant

🧪 Business Context Testing

◉ Content Graph

Satellite operator licensing

Launch licensing

Regulatory coordination

Determine which licence you need

Contact the regulator early

Prepare your application

Apply to Ofcom for radio spectrum authorisation

Arrange third-party liability insurance

Comply with licence conditions

Related guides in Export Licences

Business Context Testing

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