UK Act of Parliament 1986 United Kingdom

Outer Space Act 1986

What this means for your business

1 obligations
1 penalties
1 guides
Enforced by
IPO
Applies to
United Kingdom
On this page
1 compliance obligation, 1 practical guide
Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

1 compliance obligation under this legislation.

Offences and prohibitions 1

Breach Outer Space licence or regulatory requirements

Unlimited fine

If you carry out any space‑related activity without the licence required by the Act, give false information to obtain a licence, ignore the conditions of a licence, fail to follow a regulator’s direction, obstruct a regulator acting under a warrant, or ignore any prescribed regulations, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine and the case can be tried either in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court.

Any Person s.12 IPO

Penalties for non-compliance

1 penalty under this legislation. 1 carry an unlimited fine.

Unlimited fine

Breach Outer Space licence or regulatory requirements

Unlimited fine

Either way s.12 Penalises: Breach Outer Space licence or regulatory requirements

Practical guidance

Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.

UK Space Industry Licensing

Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.

Sections and provisions

17 classified provisions from this legislation.

1 Duties 1 Offences and penalties 9 Powers 2 Definitions 2 Exemptions

Duties 1

  • s.7 Register of space objects. The Secretary of State

Offences and penalties 1

Powers 9

  • s.2 Persons to whom this Act applies.
  • s.3 Prohibition of unlicensed activities.
  • s.4A Charges
  • s.4 Grant of licence.
  • s.5 Terms of licence.
  • s.6 Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence.
  • s.8 Power to give directions.
  • s.9 Warrant authorising direct action.
  • s.11 Regulations.

Definitions 2

  • s.13 Minor definitions. dependent territory
  • s.14 Index of defined expressions.

Exemptions 2

  • s.1 Activities to which this Act applies.
  • s.10 Obligation to indemnify government against claims.