UK Act of Parliament
2018
United Kingdom
Space Industry Act 2018
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
41 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides across 2 topics
Penalty landscape
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.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 23
- Licence Holder 7
- Applicant 1
- Director or Officer 1
- Occupier 1
Plus 8 non-business duties 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 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
3 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.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Licence Holders also bound by 221 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999 1999 317 duties
- The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004 2004 123 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 76 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 68 duties
- The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1991 1991 65 duties
Applicants also bound by 294 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 46 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 30 duties
- The Land Registration Rules 2003 2003 25 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 18 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 14 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 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.
Schedules
Safety regulations: further provision
2 years imprisonment- Breach safety regulations for spaceflight activities Any Person
Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc
Unlimited fine- Hijack a UK‑launched spacecraft Any Person
Security regulations: further provision
2 years imprisonment- Breach of space industry security regulations Any Person
Conditions governing the disposal of any payload in outer space...
- Notify CAA of final payload disposal in outer space Licence Holder
Conditions requiring licensees— (a) to keep risk assessments under review,...
- Keep risk assessments under review and update them Licence Holder
Conditions requiring the licensee to provide the Secretary of State...
- Provide price information to the Secretary of State Licence Holder
Conditions requiring the licensee to obtain advance approval from the...
- Obtain advance approval for orbital changes and report deviations immediately Licence Holder
Conditions requiring the licensee to notify specified persons—
- Notify CAA of spaceflight activities affecting water areas Licence Holder
(1) It is an offence for a person unlawfully and...
Unlimited fine- Destroy or damage a UK-launched spacecraft or carrier aircraft Any Person
(1) It is an offence for a person unlawfully and...
- Endanger a UK-launched spacecraft in flight Any Person
(1) It is an offence for a person, by means...
Unlimited fine- Commit violent act or damage property at a spaceport Any Person
(1) It is an offence for a person to have...
- Carry prohibited articles on spacecraft or at space site Any Person
Orders under sections 39 and 41
- Licensees must notify local parties before applying for land orders Licence Holder
(1) Before making an application for an order under section...
- Publish and serve notices before applying for land order or s.39 order Licence Holder
(1) Where the Secretary of State makes, or is considering...
Unlimited fine- Obstruct a surveyor entering land for space industry works Occupier
Appeals in connection with spaceflight activities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appeal panel must determine spaceflight licensing appeals Tribunal / Court
(1) Where it does not allow an appeal, a panel...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appeal panels must confirm, quash or vary decisions and give enforceable directions Tribunal / Court
In section 70 of the Transport Act 2000 (general duty...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must take account of Secretary of State's guidance on spaceflight activities Statutory regulator
In Schedule 15 to that Act (specified offences for purposes...
- Offences relating to spacecraft and spaceport safety Any Person
Browse 143 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Particular conditions that may be included in licences
Powers in relation to land: quashing of orders
Powers in relation to land: special provisions relating to statutory undertakers
Charging schemes
Conditions as to compliance with— (a) safety requirements regarding the...
Conditions requiring— (a) the launch of a spacecraft or carrier...
Conditions designed to secure compliance with— (a) obligations of the...
Conditions imposing restrictions or prohibitions on spacecraft or carrier aircraft...
Conditions requiring the licensee to conduct the licensee's activities in...
Conditions requiring spaceflight activities to be carried out at—
Conditions (in the case of a spaceport licence) prohibiting spaceflight...
Conditions requiring a mission management facility to be located in...
Conditions permitting inspection by the regulator (or a person acting...
Conditions permitting testing by the regulator (or a person acting...
Conditions as to following advice given by a range control...
Conditions permitting the regulator (or a person acting on the...
Conditions permitting the regulator to attend the launch of any...
Conditions permitting the regulator to attend specified meetings.
Conditions designed to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest...
Conditions relating to the security of— (a) spaceports or mission...
Conditions relating to the use, processing, communication and distribution of...
Conditions requiring specified persons taking part in spaceflight activities to...
Conditions corresponding to or supplementing— (a) the prohibition in section...
Conditions imposing restrictions or requirements as to persons involved in...
Conditions as to the craft or equipment, or the types...
Conditions as to the qualifications of persons involved in spaceflight...
Conditions as to the responsibilities of persons involved in spaceflight...
Conditions requiring co-operation with any accident investigations.
Conditions imposing restrictions or requirements as to the carriage for...
Conditions prohibiting or restricting the display or emission, on or...
Conditions requiring insurance or indemnities, including— (a) conditions requiring liability...
Conditions requiring waivers or indemnities to be provided, including conditions...
Conditions requiring payment to the regulator (whether on the grant...
Conditions providing for the review or termination of the licence...
Conditions as to trajectories and mission profiles.
Conditions requiring the licensee to provide the regulator, or a...
Conditions requiring the carrying out of assessments of the impact...
Conditions imposing restrictions as to areas in relation to which,...
Training regulations: further provision
(1) Training regulations may make provision requiring an individual's competence—...
(1) Training regulations may make provision requiring training to be...
Training regulations may make provision about keeping records of training...
Training regulations may— (a) make provision about how applications for...
(1) Safety regulations may make provision for prohibiting craft from...
(1) Safety regulations may make provision for prohibiting the carriage...
(1) Safety regulations may impose prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in...
(1) Safety regulations may make provision prohibiting an individual from...
Safety regulations may make provision under which—
(1) Safety regulations may— (a) provide for any of sections...
Safety regulations may make provision— (a) as to the manner...
A person on board a UK-launched spacecraft in flight who...
(1) A constable who has reasonable cause to suspect that...
Proceedings for an offence under paragraph 1, 2, 3 or...
(1) In this Schedule— “act of violence” means— an act...
(1) Security regulations may make provision for the purpose of...
(1) Security regulations may— (a) provide for any of the...
(1) Security regulations may make provision, in relation to space...
(1) A power under this Schedule to apply with modifications...
(1) Before making an order under section 39 or a...
(1) This paragraph applies if a person served with a...
If— (a) no person served with a notice under paragraph...
Despite paragraphs 3 and 4, the Secretary of State—
(1) Immediately after the making of an order under section...
(1) Before making an order under section 41 that is...
(1) Immediately after the making of an order under section...
(1) A person who is aggrieved by the making of...
An application under paragraph 1 must be made within the...
(1) When an application is made, the appropriate court—
In this Schedule “the appropriate court”— (a) in relation to...
Powers in relation to land: compensation
A person who has an interest in land the value...
In this Schedule— “the appropriate tribunal”— in relation to England...
A person who has an interest in land to which...
For the purposes of assessing compensation under paragraph 1 or...
(1) Where an interest in land is subject to a...
Where land is damaged in the exercise of a power...
Where land is damaged— (a) in the exercise of a...
A person who sustains damage that— (a) is due to...
Where any dispute arises— (a) as to whether compensation is...
A statutory undertaker is not entitled to recover compensation under...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), this Part has effect with...
(1) Where land is damaged— (a) in the exercise of...
(1) The amount of the compensation, if not agreed, is...
(1) The amount of the compensation is—
(1) The Secretary of State may make an order under...
(1) Where this paragraph applies, the Secretary of State may...
(1) As soon as possible after making a representation under...
(1) Where no objection is made under paragraph 6, or...
(1) An order under paragraph 4 is subject to special...
(1) Regulations must make provision for the establishment of one...
(1) Regulations may prescribe— (a) the form in which a...
A panel must determine an appeal within whatever period is...
(1) This paragraph applies where the relevant person wishes to...
(1) Where an application is made under paragraph 5 for...
(1) A panel may grant permission to intervene in an...
(1) Regulations may make provision regulating the conduct and disposal...
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe fees...
(1) An appeal lies to a panel against—
(1) An appeal lies to a panel against a decision...
(1) An appeal lies to a panel against—
(1) An appeal to a panel may be brought only...
(1) Where a person appeals to a panel and there...
(1) A panel may refuse permission to appeal under this...
A panel may allow an appeal only to the extent...
In this Schedule— “charging scheme” means— a scheme made by...
(1) The CAA may make a scheme providing for payment...
(1) Regulations may make a scheme providing for payment to...
(1) A charging scheme may— (a) specify the amount of...
(1) Before making a scheme under paragraph 2, the CAA—...
The inclusion in a licence under this Act of a...
(1) Where provision is made in a charging scheme for...
Minor and consequential amendments
In Schedule 11 to the Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland)...
After that section insert— Charges (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make a...
(1) In section 5 of that Act (terms of licence),...
In section 6 of that Act (transfer etc of licence),...
After section 6 of that Act insert— Appeals Schedule 10 to the Space Industry Act 2018 makes provision...
(1) Section 7 of that Act (register of space objects)...
In Article 53A of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern...
After section 48 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...
In Article 2 of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994...
(1) Schedule 8A to the Police Act 1997 (offences which...
In section 1 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (issue...
(1) Section 93 of that Act (control in time of...
(1) Section 94 of that Act (orders for possession of...
(1) Section 95 of that Act (sections 93 and 94:...
In Schedule 5 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (other...
In Schedule 4 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (qualifying...
(1) Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order...
(1) Section 20 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (interpretation of...
In Schedule 2 to the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“Schedule...
In Schedule 2 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (offences where...
In section 11 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (charges),...
In Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order...
In Schedule 2 to that Order (specified offences), in Part...
In section 89 of the Energy Act 2013 (provision of...
In Schedule 4 to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (offences...
(1) Section 38 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 (interpretation...
In Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (offences...
In section 65A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act...
In section 82 of the Airports Act 1986 (general interpretation),...
(1) Section 3 of the Outer Space Act 1986 (prohibition...
In section 4 of that Act (grant of licence) omit...
Prohibition of unlicensed spaceflight etc
2 years imprisonment- Carry out unlicensed spaceflight or operate unlicensed spaceport Any Person
Provision of range control services
- Provide range control services without a licence Any Person
Grant of spaceport licence
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must verify safety and criteria before granting spaceport licence Statutory regulator
Grant of licences: assessments of environmental effects
- Submit an assessment of environmental effects for spaceport or launch licences Applicant
Conditions of licences
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with licence conditions Any Person
Informed consent
2 years imprisonment- Allow individuals to take part in spaceflight without consent Any Person
Training, qualifications and medical fitness
2 years imprisonment- Allow unqualified person to take part in licensed space activities Any Person
Offences against the safety of spacecraft etc
Life imprisonment- Endanger spacecraft safety or spaceport operations Any Person
Spaceport byelaws
life imprisonment- Breach a spaceport byelaw Any Person
Monitoring and enforcement by regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must monitor spaceflight activities and enforce safety compliance Statutory regulator
Consultation about directions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators and Ministers must consult before giving safety or policy directions Statutory regulator
Further provision about directions
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with a direction under the Space Industry Act Any Person
Warrants authorising entry or direct action
- Obstruct a regulator exercising a space‑industry enforcement warrant Any Person
Power to authorise entry etc in emergencies
- Intentionally obstruct a person exercising an enforcement authorisation Any Person
Orders under section 39: offences
2 years imprisonment- Interfere with works or obstruct entry under a space‑industry order Any Person
Power of entry for purposes of survey
- Obstruct authorised land survey Any Person
Registration of orders
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Registration of land-related orders in local property registers Crown / Minister / Government department
Offences under regulations
5 years imprisonment- Breach of space industry regulations or safety requirements Any Person
Offences by bodies corporate
- Corporate offence when an officer consents to or neglects a breach Director or Officer
Offences by partnerships
Unlimited fine- Liability for partnership offences and individual partner neglect Any Person
Register of launches
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must maintain a public register of UK space launches Crown / Minister / Government department
Use of records and documentary evidence
2 years imprisonment- Certify a false copy of a regulator’s record Any Person
Browse 50 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Introduction
Duties and supplementary powers of the regulator
Exemptions from licence requirement
Range
Range control services
Grant of licences: general
Grant of operator licences: safety
Terms of licences
Licences granted for specified periods
Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence
Power of Secretary of State to appoint person to exercise functions
Safety regulations
Investigation of accidents
Assistance etc with performance of regulator's safety functions
Security regulations
Provision of advice and assistance on security matters
Power to give directions: breach of licence condition etc
Power to give directions: safety, security etc
Power to give directions: international obligations of the UK
Liability of operator for injury or damage etc
Power or duty of Secretary of State to indemnify
Obligation to indemnify government etc against claims
Regulator etc not liable in respect of spaceflight-related actions
Insurance
Powers to obtain rights over land
Power to restrict use of land temporarily
Challenges to and commencement of orders
Powers in relation to land: compensation
Special provisions relating to statutory undertakers
Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: England and Wales and Scotland
Compensation in respect of planning decisions relating to spaceport safety etc: Northern Ireland
Amendment and revocation of orders
Powers in relation to land: notices
Application of criminal law to spacecraft etc
Offences on board spacecraft: supplementary
Penalties for offences under this Act
Offences under regulations: extended time limit in case of accident investigation etc
Defences
Civil sanctions
Appeals
Charging schemes
Provision of advice and assistance by or to an appointed person
Co-operation between Secretary of State and other public authorities
Agreements with other countries: compliance with requirements etc
Minor and consequential amendments
Regulations: general
Interpretation
Commencement
Extent
Short title
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Cyber security regulation | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- CAA: ATOL protection (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- CAA: spaceflight (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Ofcom satellite filing and coordination (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Moving dangerous goods guidance (opens in a new tab) from DfT 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
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.