UK Act of Parliament
1986
United Kingdom
Outer Space Act 1986
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
2 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Penalty landscape
1 of 2 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 1 has no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 1 non-business duty on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Register of space objects.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must maintain a public register of space objects Crown / Minister / Government department
Offences.
Unlimited fine- Breach of outer space licensing and safety regulations Director or Officer
Browse 15 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Activities to which this Act applies.
Persons to whom this Act applies.
Prohibition of unlicensed activities.
Grant of licence.
Charges
Terms of licence.
Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence.
Appeals
Power to give directions.
Warrant authorising direct action.
Obligation to indemnify government against claims.
Regulations.
Minor definitions.
Index of defined expressions.
Short title, commencement and extent.
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Ofcom satellite filing and coordination (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- UK spaceflight programme (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Ofcom satellite filing and coordination (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- CAA orbital operator fees (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a UK Space Agency licence (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- CAA space licences and permissions (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Civil Aviation Authority
UK's aviation regulator. Responsible for aviation safety, airspace policy, economic regulation of airports, and consumer protection. Issues air operator certificates, pilot licences, …
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.