Space Industry Act 2018
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- IPO
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 19 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
19 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Risk assessment 1
Submit an environmental effects assessment with your licence application
If you are applying for a spaceport licence or a launch operator licence, you must provide a report that shows how the proposed launches will affect the environment. The regulator will not grant the licence unless this assessment is supplied (or an approved earlier assessment can be used).
Management duties 2
Follow the appeal process for space‑flight licence decisions
If a regulator or the Secretary of State makes a decision about your space‑flight licence – for example refusing it, adding conditions, refusing renewal, transfer, variation, suspension or revocation – you must use the formal appeal system set out in the Space Industry Act. You have to apply for permission to appeal within the time limit, submit any required representations, and comply with any directions the appeal panel gives.
Minimise public‑safety risks before applying for a spaceport licence
If you want a licence to run a spaceport, you must first show that you have taken every reasonable step to keep any danger to the public as low as possible. You also need to meet any specific criteria set out by the regulator before the licence can be approved.
Offences and prohibitions 14
Allow individuals to take part in spaceflight without consent
If your company holds an operator licence and lets anyone take part in a spaceflight activity without first obtaining a signed consent form that confirms they understand the risks and meet the required age and mental‑capacity criteria, you are committing an offence. A conviction can lead to criminal prosecution, with the court able to impose a fine and/or imprisonment.
Allow unqualified person to take part in licensed space activities
If you hold a licence for spaceflight, a spaceport or range‑control services, you must not let anyone who does not meet the training, qualification and medical‑fitness standards set out in the training regulations take part in, or work on, the activities covered by your licence. Doing so is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution, with possible fines and/or imprisonment as determined by the courts.
Breach a spaceport byelaw
Fine up to £2,500If you or anyone acting for your business breaks a byelaw made for a spaceport – for example a speed limit, a parking restriction or an order to leave a part of the site – you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction in a magistrates' court you can be fined up to the amount set by the byelaw, which cannot exceed level 4 on the standard scale (£2,500). There is no custodial sentence for this offence.
Carry out unlicensed spaceflight or operate unlicensed spaceport
If you conduct spaceflight activities or run a spaceport in the UK without a licence issued under the Space Industry Act, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.
Certify a false copy of a regulator’s record
If you, or someone acting for you, certify that a document is a true copy of a record kept by the space regulator (for example a spacecraft’s position or a transmitted/received message) when you know it is not, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, the exact limits of which are set elsewhere in the legislation.
Corporate offence when an officer consents to or neglects a breach
If your company commits any offence under the Space Industry Act and a director, manager or other officer either gave consent, was involved, or was negligent, both the company and that officer can be prosecuted. The penalties will be the same as those that apply to the original offence – typically a fine and/or imprisonment determined by the severity of the breach.
Fail to comply with a direction under the Space Industry Act
If a regulator (e.g., Ofcom or the IPO) gives you a direction under sections 27, 28 or 29 of the Space Industry Act – such as to stop an activity or dispose of material – you must obey it. Ignoring the direction, or disclosing it when the Secretary of State has told you not to, is a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment, although the exact penalty is set elsewhere in the Act.
Fail to comply with licence conditions
Unlimited fineIf your company holds a licence under the Space Industry Act and you do not meet a condition attached to that licence, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine (potentially unlimited) and/or imprisonment, depending on the court’s decision.
Hijack a UK‑launched spacecraft
Unlimited fineIf a person on board a UK‑launched spacecraft uses force or threats to seize control of the vehicle, they commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Intentionally obstruct a person exercising an enforcement authorisation
If you deliberately block or interfere with someone who is acting under a Secretary of State’s emergency enforcement authorisation – for example, to protect national security, health and safety, or the UK’s international obligations – you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine (the level of which is not set in this section) and possibly other penalties.
Interfere with works or obstruct entry under a space‑industry order
If you tamper with, damage or otherwise interfere with works or equipment on land that is subject to a Space Industry Order – without the consent of the order holder – you commit a criminal offence. It is also an offence to block someone who is exercising a power of entry granted by that order. Conviction can lead to fines and/or imprisonment, so you must obtain permission before touching any works or stopping authorised entry.
Obstruct a regulator exercising a space‑industry enforcement warrant
If you deliberately block or hinder a person (such as an inspector or constable) who is acting under an enforcement warrant issued under the Space Industry Act 2018, you commit a criminal offence. The offence applies to any individual or organisation that refuses the regulator lawful access to premises or otherwise interferes with the warrant’s execution. Conviction can result in a fine and/or imprisonment, but the exact penalties are set elsewhere in the legislation.
Obstruct authorised land survey
If you prevent a person who has been given written authority to enter land for a survey required by the Secretary of State, you are committing a criminal offence. This could apply to landowners, occupiers or any party who blocks such entry. Conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment or both, as set by the court.
Provide range control services without a licence
If you provide range‑control services for spaceflight activities without holding a range‑control licence (or without an authorised exemption), you are committing a criminal offence. On conviction you could be fined and/or imprisoned – the exact maximum penalties are set by later regulations made under this Act.
Registration and licensing 1
Register operative Space Industry orders on the appropriate land register
If you receive an order under section 39 of the Space Industry Act and it becomes operative, you must ensure that order is entered on the correct land‑register system for the part of the UK where the land is located. In England and Wales it is automatically a local land charge; in Scotland you must register it in the Land Register of Scotland (or Register of Sasines); in Northern Ireland you must record it in the Statutory Charges Register.
Reporting and filing 1
Provide requested information and allow inspections by the regulator
If you run a spaceflight activity, a spaceport, provide range‑control services, or have land that is part of a spaceport, you must give the regulator any information they ask for and let them inspect your sites, equipment, and records. The regulator can investigate and prosecute non‑compliance, so you need to act promptly and keep good records.
Penalties for non-compliance
14 penalties under this legislation. 2 carry an unlimited fine.
Fail to comply with licence conditions
Unlimited fine
Hijack a UK‑launched spacecraft
Unlimited fine
Breach a spaceport byelaw
Fine up to £2,500
Allow individuals to take part in spaceflight without consent
Penalty applies
Allow unqualified person to take part in licensed space activities
Penalty applies
Carry out unlicensed spaceflight or operate unlicensed spaceport
Penalty applies
Certify a false copy of a regulator’s record
Penalty applies
Corporate offence when an officer consents to or neglects a breach
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with a direction under the Space Industry Act
Penalty applies
Intentionally obstruct a person exercising an enforcement authorisation
Penalty applies
Interfere with works or obstruct entry under a space‑industry order
Penalty applies
Obstruct a regulator exercising a space‑industry enforcement warrant
Penalty applies
Obstruct authorised land survey
Penalty applies
Provide range control services without a licence
Penalty applies
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
84 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 7
- s.10 Grant of spaceport licence
- s.11 Grant of licences: assessments of environmental effects
- s.26 Monitoring and enforcement by regulator
- s.30 Consultation about directions
- s.45 Registration of orders
- s.61 Register of launches The Secretary of State
- Schedule 10 Appeals in connection with spaceflight activities fee required
Offences and penalties 22
- s.3 Prohibition of unlicensed spaceflight etc
- Schedule 3 Safety regulations: further provision
- Schedule 4 Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc
- Schedule 5 Security regulations: further provision
- s.7 Provision of range control services
- s.13 Conditions of licences
- s.17 Informed consent
- s.18 Training, qualifications and medical fitness
- s.22 Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc
- s.24 Spaceport byelaws
- s.31 Further provision about directions
- s.32 Warrants authorising entry or direct action
- s.33 Power to authorise entry etc in emergencies
- s.40 Orders under section 39: offences
- s.42 Power of entry for purposes of survey
- s.52 Offences on board spacecraft: supplementary
- s.53 Penalties for offences under this Act
- s.54 Offences under regulations
- s.55 Offences under regulations: extended time limit in case of accident investigation etc
- s.57 Offences by bodies corporate
- ... and 2 more offences and penalties
Powers 22
- s.8 Grant of licences: general
- s.9 Grant of operator licences: safety
- Schedule 9 Powers in relation to land: special provisions relating to statutory undertakers
- s.14 Licences granted for specified periods
- s.20 Investigation of accidents
- s.21 Assistance etc with performance of regulator's safety functions
- s.23 Security regulations
- s.25 Provision of advice and assistance on security matters
- s.27 Power to give directions: breach of licence condition etc
- s.28 Power to give directions: safety, security etc
- s.29 Power to give directions: international obligations of the UK
- s.35 Power or duty of Secretary of State to indemnify
- s.38 Insurance
- s.39 Powers to obtain rights over land
- s.41 Power to restrict use of land temporarily
- s.47 Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: England and Wales and Scotland
- s.48 Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: Northern Ireland
- s.49 Amendment and revocation of orders
- s.63 Provision of advice and assistance by or to an appointed person
- s.64 Co-operation between Secretary of State and other public authorities
- ... and 2 more powers
Definitions 9
- s.2 Duties and supplementary powers of the regulator carrier aircraft public safety spacecraft
- s.5 Range range
- s.6 Range control services
- s.15 Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence
- s.19 Safety regulations mission management facility
- s.65 Agreements with other countries: compliance with requirements etc relevant agreement
- s.69 Interpretation Air Navigation Order appointed person the CAA
- Schedule 6 Orders under sections 39 and 41 owner
- Schedule 8 Powers in relation to land: compensation heritable security
Exemptions 11
- s.1 Introduction
- s.4 Exemptions from licence requirement
- Schedule 11 Charging schemes
- s.16 Power of Secretary of State to appoint person to exercise functions
- s.34 Liability of operator for injury or damage etc
- s.36 Obligation to indemnify government etc against claims
- s.37 Regulator etc not liable in respect of spaceflight-related actions
- s.51 Application of criminal law to spacecraft etc
- s.56 Defences
- s.59 Civil sanctions
- s.68 Regulations: general