UK Act of Parliament 2018 United Kingdom

Space Industry Act 2018

An Act to make provision about space activities and sub-orbital activities, and for connected purposes.

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
CAA
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 8 of 41 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 17 carry different penalties and 16 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person23 Licence Holder7 Applicant1 Director or Officer1 Occupier1

Plus 8 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2684 other Acts
Licence Holder — also bound by 245 other Acts
Applicant — also bound by 325 other Acts
Director or Officer — also bound by 482 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties
Occupier — also bound by 246 other Acts
Highways Act 1980 23 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

s.003 Prohibition of unlicensed spaceflight etc (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Carry out unlicensed spaceflight or operate unlicensed spaceportAny Person
s.007 Provision of range control services (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Provide range control services without a licenceAny Person
s.010 Grant of spaceport licence (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must verify safety and criteria before granting spaceport licenceStatutory regulator
s.011 Grant of licences: assessments of environmental effects (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Submit an assessment of environmental effects for spaceport or launch licencesApplicant
s.013 Conditions of licences (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with licence conditionsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.017 Informed consent (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Allow individuals to take part in spaceflight without consentAny Person
s.018 Training, qualifications and medical fitness (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Allow unqualified person to take part in licensed space activitiesAny Person
s.022 Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Endanger spacecraft safety or spaceport operationsAny Person
s.024 Spaceport byelaws (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Breach a spaceport byelawAny Person
s.026 Monitoring and enforcement by regulator (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must monitor spaceflight activities and enforce safety complianceStatutory regulator
s.030 Consultation about directions (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulators and Ministers must consult before giving safety or policy directionsStatutory regulator
s.031 Further provision about directions (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with a direction under the Space Industry ActAny Person
s.032 Warrants authorising entry or direct action (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Obstruct a regulator exercising a space‑industry enforcement warrantAny Person
s.033 Power to authorise entry etc in emergencies (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Intentionally obstruct a person exercising an enforcement authorisationAny Person
s.040 Orders under section 39: offences (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Interfere with works or obstruct entry under a space‑industry orderAny Person
s.042 Power of entry for purposes of survey (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Obstruct authorised land surveyAny Person
s.045 Registration of orders (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Registration of land-related orders in local property registersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.054 Offences under regulations (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Breach of space industry regulations or safety requirementsAny Person
s.057 Offences by bodies corporate (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Corporate offence when an officer consents to or neglects a breachDirector or Officer
s.058 Offences by partnerships (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Liability for partnership offences and individual partner neglectAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.061 Register of launches (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must maintain a public register of UK space launchesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.066 Use of records and documentary evidence (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Certify a false copy of a regulator’s recordAny Person
50 other provisions — procedural and definitional
s.001 Introduction (opens in a new tab)
s.002 Duties and supplementary powers of the regulator (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Exemptions from licence requirement (opens in a new tab)
s.005 Range (opens in a new tab)
s.006 Range control services (opens in a new tab)
s.008 Grant of licences: general (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Grant of operator licences: safety (opens in a new tab)
s.012 Terms of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Licences granted for specified periods (opens in a new tab)
s.015 Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Power of Secretary of State to appoint person to exercise functions (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Safety regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.020 Investigation of accidents (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Assistance etc with performance of regulator's safety functions (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Security regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Provision of advice and assistance on security matters (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Power to give directions: breach of licence condition etc (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Power to give directions: safety, security etc (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Power to give directions: international obligations of the UK (opens in a new tab)
s.034 Liability of operator for injury or damage etc (opens in a new tab)
s.035 Power or duty of Secretary of State to indemnify (opens in a new tab)
s.036 Obligation to indemnify government etc against claims (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Regulator etc not liable in respect of spaceflight-related actions (opens in a new tab)
s.038 Insurance (opens in a new tab)
s.039 Powers to obtain rights over land (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Power to restrict use of land temporarily (opens in a new tab)
s.043 Challenges to and commencement of orders (opens in a new tab)
s.044 Powers in relation to land: compensation (opens in a new tab)
s.046 Special provisions relating to statutory undertakers (opens in a new tab)
s.047 Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: England and Wales and Scotland (opens in a new tab)
s.048 Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Amendment and revocation of orders (opens in a new tab)
s.050 Powers in relation to land: notices (opens in a new tab)
s.051 Application of criminal law to spacecraft etc (opens in a new tab)
s.052 Offences on board spacecraft: supplementary (opens in a new tab)
s.053 Penalties for offences under this Act (opens in a new tab)
s.055 Offences under regulations: extended time limit in case of accident investigation etc (opens in a new tab)
s.056 Defences (opens in a new tab)
s.059 Civil sanctions (opens in a new tab)
s.060 Appeals (opens in a new tab)
s.062 Charging schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.063 Provision of advice and assistance by or to an appointed person (opens in a new tab)
s.064 Co-operation between Secretary of State and other public authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.065 Agreements with other countries: compliance with requirements etc (opens in a new tab)
s.067 Minor and consequential amendments (opens in a new tab)
s.068 Regulations: general (opens in a new tab)
s.069 Interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Commencement (opens in a new tab)
s.071 Extent (opens in a new tab)
s.072 Short title (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

19 of 162 shown
s.003 Safety regulations: further provision (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Breach safety regulations for spaceflight activitiesAny Person
s.004 Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Hijack a UK‑launched spacecraftAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.005 Security regulations: further provision (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Breach of space industry security regulationsAny Person
s.sch001 Conditions governing the disposal of any payload in outer space... Regulated
  • Notify CAA of final payload disposal in outer spaceLicence Holder
s.sch001 Conditions requiring licensees— (a) to keep risk assessments under review,... Regulated
  • Keep risk assessments under review and update themLicence Holder
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the licensee to provide the Secretary of State... Regulated
  • Provide price information to the Secretary of StateLicence Holder
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the licensee to obtain advance approval from the... Regulated
  • Obtain advance approval for orbital changes and report deviations immediatelyLicence Holder
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the licensee to notify specified persons— Regulated
  • Notify CAA of spaceflight activities affecting water areasLicence Holder
s.sch004 (1) It is an offence for a person unlawfully and... Prosecution
  • Destroy or damage a UK-launched spacecraft or carrier aircraftAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch004 (1) It is an offence for a person unlawfully and... Regulated
  • Endanger a UK-launched spacecraft in flightAny Person
s.sch004 (1) It is an offence for a person, by means... Prosecution
  • Commit violent act or damage property at a spaceportAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch004 (1) It is an offence for a person to have... Regulated
  • Carry prohibited articles on spacecraft or at space siteAny Person
s.sch006 Orders under sections 39 and 41 (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Licensees must notify local parties before applying for land ordersLicence Holder
s.sch006 (1) Before making an application for an order under section... Regulated
  • Publish and serve notices before applying for land order or s.39 orderLicence Holder
s.sch009 (1) Where the Secretary of State makes, or is considering... Prosecution
  • Obstruct a surveyor entering land for space industry worksOccupier

Unlimited fine

s.sch010 Appeals in connection with spaceflight activities (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Appeal panel must determine spaceflight licensing appealsTribunal / Court
s.sch010 (1) Where it does not allow an appeal, a panel... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Appeal panels must confirm, quash or vary decisions and give enforceable directionsTribunal / Court
s.sch012 In section 70 of the Transport Act 2000 (general duty... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must take account of Secretary of State's guidance on spaceflight activitiesStatutory regulator
s.sch012 In Schedule 15 to that Act (specified offences for purposes... Regulated
  • Offences relating to spacecraft and spaceport safetyAny Person
143 other schedules
s.001 Particular conditions that may be included in licences (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Powers in relation to land: quashing of orders (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Powers in relation to land: special provisions relating to statutory undertakers (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Charging schemes (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 Conditions as to compliance with— (a) safety requirements regarding the...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring— (a) the launch of a spacecraft or carrier...
s.sch001 Conditions designed to secure compliance with— (a) obligations of the...
s.sch001 Conditions imposing restrictions or prohibitions on spacecraft or carrier aircraft...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the licensee to conduct the licensee's activities in...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring spaceflight activities to be carried out at—
s.sch001 Conditions (in the case of a spaceport licence) prohibiting spaceflight...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring a mission management facility to be located in...
s.sch001 Conditions permitting inspection by the regulator (or a person acting...
s.sch001 Conditions permitting testing by the regulator (or a person acting...
s.sch001 Conditions as to following advice given by a range control...
s.sch001 Conditions permitting the regulator (or a person acting on the...
s.sch001 Conditions permitting the regulator to attend the launch of any...
s.sch001 Conditions permitting the regulator to attend specified meetings.
s.sch001 Conditions designed to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest...
s.sch001 Conditions relating to the security of— (a) spaceports or mission...
s.sch001 Conditions relating to the use, processing, communication and distribution of...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring specified persons taking part in spaceflight activities to...
s.sch001 Conditions corresponding to or supplementing— (a) the prohibition in section...
s.sch001 Conditions imposing restrictions or requirements as to persons involved in...
s.sch001 Conditions as to the craft or equipment, or the types...
s.sch001 Conditions as to the qualifications of persons involved in spaceflight...
s.sch001 Conditions as to the responsibilities of persons involved in spaceflight...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring co-operation with any accident investigations.
s.sch001 Conditions imposing restrictions or requirements as to the carriage for...
s.sch001 Conditions prohibiting or restricting the display or emission, on or...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring insurance or indemnities, including— (a) conditions requiring liability...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring waivers or indemnities to be provided, including conditions...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring payment to the regulator (whether on the grant...
s.sch001 Conditions providing for the review or termination of the licence...
s.sch001 Conditions as to trajectories and mission profiles.
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the licensee to provide the regulator, or a...
s.sch001 Conditions requiring the carrying out of assessments of the impact...
s.sch001 Conditions imposing restrictions as to areas in relation to which,...
s.sch002 Training regulations: further provision (opens in a new tab)
s.sch002 (1) Training regulations may make provision requiring an individual's competence—...
s.sch002 (1) Training regulations may make provision requiring training to be...
s.sch002 Training regulations may make provision about keeping records of training...
s.sch002 Training regulations may— (a) make provision about how applications for...
s.sch003 (1) Safety regulations may make provision for prohibiting craft from...
s.sch003 (1) Safety regulations may make provision for prohibiting the carriage...
s.sch003 (1) Safety regulations may impose prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in...
s.sch003 (1) Safety regulations may make provision prohibiting an individual from...
s.sch003 Safety regulations may make provision under which—
s.sch003 (1) Safety regulations may— (a) provide for any of sections...
s.sch003 Safety regulations may make provision— (a) as to the manner...
s.sch004 A person on board a UK-launched spacecraft in flight who...
s.sch004 (1) A constable who has reasonable cause to suspect that...
s.sch004 Proceedings for an offence under paragraph 1, 2, 3 or...
s.sch004 (1) In this Schedule— “act of violence” means— an act...
s.sch005 (1) Security regulations may make provision for the purpose of...
s.sch005 (1) Security regulations may— (a) provide for any of the...
s.sch005 (1) Security regulations may make provision, in relation to space...
s.sch005 (1) A power under this Schedule to apply with modifications...
s.sch006 (1) Before making an order under section 39 or a...
s.sch006 (1) This paragraph applies if a person served with a...
s.sch006 If— (a) no person served with a notice under paragraph...
s.sch006 Despite paragraphs 3 and 4, the Secretary of State—
s.sch006 (1) Immediately after the making of an order under section...
s.sch006 (1) Before making an order under section 41 that is...
s.sch006 (1) Immediately after the making of an order under section...
s.sch007 (1) A person who is aggrieved by the making of...
s.sch007 An application under paragraph 1 must be made within the...
s.sch007 (1) When an application is made, the appropriate court—
s.sch007 In this Schedule “the appropriate court”— (a) in relation to...
s.sch008 Powers in relation to land: compensation (opens in a new tab)
s.sch008 A person who has an interest in land the value...
s.sch008 In this Schedule— “the appropriate tribunal”— in relation to England...
s.sch008 A person who has an interest in land to which...
s.sch008 For the purposes of assessing compensation under paragraph 1 or...
s.sch008 (1) Where an interest in land is subject to a...
s.sch008 Where land is damaged in the exercise of a power...
s.sch008 Where land is damaged— (a) in the exercise of a...
s.sch008 A person who sustains damage that— (a) is due to...
s.sch008 Where any dispute arises— (a) as to whether compensation is...
s.sch008 A statutory undertaker is not entitled to recover compensation under...
s.sch009 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), this Part has effect with...
s.sch009 (1) Where land is damaged— (a) in the exercise of...
s.sch009 (1) The amount of the compensation, if not agreed, is...
s.sch009 (1) The amount of the compensation is—
s.sch009 (1) The Secretary of State may make an order under...
s.sch009 (1) Where this paragraph applies, the Secretary of State may...
s.sch009 (1) As soon as possible after making a representation under...
s.sch009 (1) Where no objection is made under paragraph 6, or...
s.sch009 (1) An order under paragraph 4 is subject to special...
s.sch010 (1) Regulations must make provision for the establishment of one...
s.sch010 (1) Regulations may prescribe— (a) the form in which a...
s.sch010 A panel must determine an appeal within whatever period is...
s.sch010 (1) This paragraph applies where the relevant person wishes to...
s.sch010 (1) Where an application is made under paragraph 5 for...
s.sch010 (1) A panel may grant permission to intervene in an...
s.sch010 (1) Regulations may make provision regulating the conduct and disposal...
s.sch010 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe fees...
s.sch010 (1) An appeal lies to a panel against—
s.sch010 (1) An appeal lies to a panel against a decision...
s.sch010 (1) An appeal lies to a panel against—
s.sch010 (1) An appeal to a panel may be brought only...
s.sch010 (1) Where a person appeals to a panel and there...
s.sch010 (1) A panel may refuse permission to appeal under this...
s.sch010 A panel may allow an appeal only to the extent...
s.sch011 In this Schedule— “charging scheme” means— a scheme made by...
s.sch011 (1) The CAA may make a scheme providing for payment...
s.sch011 (1) Regulations may make a scheme providing for payment to...
s.sch011 (1) A charging scheme may— (a) specify the amount of...
s.sch011 (1) Before making a scheme under paragraph 2, the CAA—...
s.sch011 The inclusion in a licence under this Act of a...
s.sch011 (1) Where provision is made in a charging scheme for...
s.sch012 Minor and consequential amendments (opens in a new tab)
s.sch012 In Schedule 11 to the Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland)...
s.sch012 After that section insert— Charges (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make a...
s.sch012 (1) In section 5 of that Act (terms of licence),...
s.sch012 In section 6 of that Act (transfer etc of licence),...
s.sch012 After section 6 of that Act insert— Appeals Schedule 10 to the Space Industry Act 2018 makes provision...
s.sch012 (1) Section 7 of that Act (register of space objects)...
s.sch012 In Article 53A of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern...
s.sch012 After section 48 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...
s.sch012 In Article 2 of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994...
s.sch012 (1) Schedule 8A to the Police Act 1997 (offences which...
s.sch012 In section 1 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (issue...
s.sch012 (1) Section 93 of that Act (control in time of...
s.sch012 (1) Section 94 of that Act (orders for possession of...
s.sch012 (1) Section 95 of that Act (sections 93 and 94:...
s.sch012 In Schedule 5 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (other...
s.sch012 In Schedule 4 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (qualifying...
s.sch012 (1) Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order...
s.sch012 (1) Section 20 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (interpretation of...
s.sch012 In Schedule 2 to the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“Schedule...
s.sch012 In Schedule 2 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (offences where...
s.sch012 In section 11 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (charges),...
s.sch012 In Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order...
s.sch012 In Schedule 2 to that Order (specified offences), in Part...
s.sch012 In section 89 of the Energy Act 2013 (provision of...
s.sch012 In Schedule 4 to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (offences...
s.sch012 (1) Section 38 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 (interpretation...
s.sch012 In Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (offences...
s.sch012 In section 65A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act...
s.sch012 In section 82 of the Airports Act 1986 (general interpretation),...
s.sch012 (1) Section 3 of the Outer Space Act 1986 (prohibition...
s.sch012 In section 4 of that Act (grant of licence) omit...

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Set up as a vehicle or transport equipment manufacturer

Learning path for new vehicle and transport-equipment manufacturers and importers. Work out which approval regime applies to your product, get it type-approved …

Set up an air transport business

Learning path for new air transport operators — passenger airlines, cargo carriers and spaceflight operators. Work out which rules apply, put a …

UK Space Industry Licensing

Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.
3 more guides that reference this instrument
Get a spaceflight or spaceport licence Which approval regime applies to your transport equipment Get your air operator licences and certificates

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.