UK Statutory Instrument 2021 United Kingdom

Space Industry Regulations 2021

What this means for your business

174 obligations

30 penalties

17 can imprison

1 guides

• Enforced by: IPO
• Applies to: United Kingdom
• On this page: 174 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide

Read full text on legislation.gov.uk →

What you must do

174 compliance obligations under this legislation — 17 can result in imprisonment.

Appointments 4

Apply for regulator approval of your training manager and keep details current

If your company holds a space licence or is applying for one, you must submit an application to the regulator naming a training manager, set out what they will be responsible for, and provide any extra information the regulator asks for. You also need to tell the regulator straight away of any material change to that information, and you cannot change the manager’s responsibilities without the regulator’s written consent.

Trader/Business s.62 IPO When you are a licence holder or are applying for a space …

Appoint and manage key range‑control managers

If your business holds a range‑control licence you must name people to fill five specific roles – range safety manager, range operations manager, accountable manager, security manager and training manager. You must also make sure each person carries out the duties set out for their role, such as running the safety management system, overseeing safe operations, ensuring financing, managing security and running training. The same person can hold more than one role if appropriate.

Employer s.11 IPO

Appoint and manage safety, launch, training and security managers

If your business runs spaceflight activities you must name a qualified safety manager and, if you hold a launch licence, name a launch director, training manager and (where national security is involved) a security manager. You also need to make sure each of them carries out the duties set out in the regulations – running the safety management system, overseeing training, and monitoring compliance.

Contractor s.9 IPO When carrying out spaceflight activities or holding a launch operator licence

Appoint and support a qualified compliance reviewer

When you start any crewed spaceflight, you must hire a suitably qualified expert to review your compliance processes. You must give the reviewer the information and facilities they need, keep any disclosed data confidential, and act on the review’s findings within a reasonable time after the crewed activity begins.

Contractor s.149 IPO When you commence spaceflight activities that involve employing or engaging a crew …

Risk assessment 5

Assess and inform crew of cosmic radiation exposure

2 years imprisonment

If you run a spaceflight, you must measure how much cosmic radiation each crew member is exposed to, use that information to plan work schedules so that the most highly exposed people receive lower doses where possible, and tell every crew member what their assessed dose is. This should be done for every flight and recorded.

Employer s.137 IPO Whenever you operate a spaceflight with crew members

Carry out detailed risk assessment for human occupants

If you are applying for a spaceflight licence that will carry people, you must carry out a full risk assessment for those occupants. This means identifying every hazard that could affect crew health or safety, judging how likely each is and what the consequences would be, and then setting out preventive and mitigation measures together with performance standards and review arrangements, while also considering training, medical needs and launch‑vehicle technical requirements.

Contractor s.32 IPO When applying for a spaceflight licence that includes human occupants

Carry out flight safety analysis for licence application

If you are applying for a licence to carry out a spaceflight, you must produce a flight safety analysis. This analysis must list all major accident hazards, follow the detailed steps set out in regulation 28(1) for each hazard, and provide a numeric estimate of the risk of death or serious injury to anyone not on board. The analysis becomes part of your licence application and must be ready before the regulator can grant the licence.

Trader/Business s.26 IPO When submitting an application for a spaceflight licence

Conduct ground safety analysis for launch licences

If your company is applying for a launch operator licence or a return operator licence, you must produce a ground safety analysis. This analysis must identify any major accident hazards that could arise during launch preparation, the launch itself, and after landing, and must follow the required steps and consider existing safety laws.

Contractor s.27 IPO When applying for a launch operator licence or a return operator licence

Conduct siting assessment for spaceport licence

If you want a licence to operate a spaceport, you must carry out a siting assessment. The assessment must look at the proposed site, be based on the actual launch vehicle(s) (or a representative vehicle if none are finalised), and give a numerical estimate of the annual risk of death or serious injury to the public. The regulator must accept the risk level before the licence can be granted.

Trader/Business s.38 IPO When applying for a spaceport licence

Equipment and safety 4

Ensure ground support equipment is fit for use

You must only use launch‑vehicle ground support equipment that is suitable and safe for your spaceflight activities. The equipment has to meet the launch vehicle’s technical specifications, be built to those specs and have passed the verification and validation tests set out in the regulations and any licence conditions.

Trader/Business s.92 IPO When you intend to use ground support equipment for a launch

Fit launch vehicle with required life‑support and safety systems

If your launch vehicle will carry a person, you must equip it with a set of safety and life‑support systems – power and atmospheric control, redundant oxygen, ice‑build‑up warning, smoke detection and fire suppression, flight‑information displays, crew restraints and a flight recorder. These systems must be suitable for your specific spaceflight activities and be operational throughout the flight.

Contractor s.109 IPO Only when the launch vehicle carries a human occupant

Maintain and regularly test safety equipment

If you hold a spaceport licence and own or control any safety systems or ground equipment, you must keep that equipment in good working order and carry out regular inspections and testing. This means setting up a maintenance schedule, fixing any faults promptly, and checking that the equipment still meets the regulations at appropriate intervals.

Trader/Business s.162 IPO

Provide and maintain adequate training equipment

If you hold a space‑industry licence, you must have enough training equipment to run the practical parts of your training programme. Any simulated devices (e.g., launch‑vehicle simulators) must closely match the real equipment and any differences must be recorded. You also need a system to monitor those devices so that changes don’t reduce the quality of training.

Trader/Business s.71 IPO

Inspections 2

Cooperate with regulator’s inspection during licence application

If your company applies for a space licence, you must let the regulator inspect any sites, equipment, documents or staff they ask for. You have to respond to any written request within the time the regulator sets and give inspectors the help they need – such as unlocking doors, disassembling equipment or demonstrating how it works. The regulator can also share information gathered with other UK or international bodies.

Any Person s.19 IPO When you submit a licence application to the Space Industry Regulator

Inspect launch vehicle and review records before flight

Before every launch, the pilot (or remote pilot) must check the launch vehicle and its systems as far as practicable, and look at the operator’s written records about the vehicle’s fitness and preparation. This ensures any problems are spotted and the flight can be carried out safely.

Any Person s.114 IPO Before each flight

Management duties 98

Allow emergency services access and keep an emergency response plan

If an emergency occurs at your space site you must let fire, police or ambulance crews in without making them follow the usual site security checks. You also need to have a written plan that sets out what actions will be taken after any emergency response.

Trader/Business s.175 IPO When emergency services are responding to an emergency at your space site

Allow US‑authorised persons to access and monitor US space technology

If your business holds a licence for any US launch vehicle, spacecraft or related equipment, you must let any person authorised by the US Government inspect or monitor that technology, and you cannot block a US licence holder from doing so. In practice this means you need to cooperate with US officials or US‑licensed parties whenever they request access.

Any Person s.195 IPO When a US‑government authorised individual or a US licence holder requests access …

Apply and manage security controls for site supplies

If your business holds a licence to operate a space site, you must put appropriate, proportionate security measures on all supplies that enter the site and keep them protected from tampering from the moment the controls are applied until delivery. You also need to inform suppliers of the requirements, retain final authority over entry, have procedures to inspect and screen supplies, and ensure staff handling those supplies receive security‑awareness training.

Trader/Business s.177 IPO When any space‑site supplies are to be delivered to a licensed space …

Apply for approval to supply space‑site licence holder

If you want to sell or provide items for use at a licensed space site, you must first apply to the licence holder for approval. Your application has to list who you are, what you’ll supply, which space site it will go to, the people who will need access to the site, and how you’ll keep the supplies safe from tampering. The licence holder must then give you guidance on how they will assess your request.

Trader/Business s.179 IPO When you wish to become a supplier to a space‑site licence holder

Appoint accountable, safety and security managers and ensure they fulfil their duties

If you hold a spaceport licence, you must name people to act as your accountable manager, safety manager and security manager. You also need to make sure the accountable manager sets up and keeps an effective management system and can finance the licence activities, and that the safety manager runs the safety management system, checks that work is done safely and monitors compliance with safety policies.

Trader/Business s.7 IPO

Appoint and empower flight termination personnel

If your launch vehicle has a flight‑safety system that isn’t autonomous, you must name qualified flight‑termination staff, keep them at the mission‑control site during the flight, give them all the information they need to judge when the system is ready, require them to act only for safety, and let them make a termination decision without needing approval from anyone else.

Trader/Business s.89 IPO When the launch vehicle uses a non‑autonomous flight safety system

Appoint and manage a safety manager for spaceflight activities

If your company runs spaceflight operations under a launch or return operator licence, you must have a designated safety manager. They must report straight to the accountable manager, inform that manager (and the launch director where relevant) of any safety issues before and during launches, be able to contact the launch director as needed, and keep written records of all concerns and how they were dealt with.

Employer s.86 IPO When your spaceflight activities are authorized by a launch operator licence or …

Appoint and oversee an accountable manager

Your business must name a specific person to act as the accountable manager. You also need to make sure this person puts in place and runs an effective management system and that your licensed space activities are properly funded and carried out as required by the licence and the Act.

Trader/Business s.8 IPO

Appoint a training manager and ensure training functions are carried out

If you hold a spaceport or return‑operator licence, you must have a designated training manager who arranges instructors, oversees and records training, keeps medical records and handles any required consent. If you choose not to appoint a training manager, you still need to make other arrangements to carry out those same duties.

Trader/Business s.63 IPO If you are a spaceport licence holder or a return‑operator licence holder

Arrange medical exams and annual health reviews for classified crew

Your spaceflight company must have an approved doctor check every crew member’s fitness before they are classed as a classified crew member, and then carry out at least one health review each year. You must tell the crew member the doctor’s fitness decision (and any conditions) promptly and give the doctor any information they reasonably need.

Employer s.144 IPO when a crew member is classified as a classified crew member and …

Assess and manage crew radiation exposure

You must carry out a thorough assessment of how much cosmic radiation your crew could be exposed to before any launch, and repeat the assessment if you suspect it’s out‑of‑date, the mission changes, or a crew member may have been over‑exposed. Then you must use the latest assessment when running the launch to keep crew exposure as low as reasonably possible.

Trader/Business s.136 IPO Before each spaceflight activity, or when a previous assessment may no longer …

Carry out licensed spaceport activities safely

If you run a spaceport, you must make sure every activity covered by your licence is performed safely. This means following your up‑to‑date safety case, putting in place measures to stop a major accident from happening, and having plans to limit the impact if an accident does occur.

Any Person s.152 IPO

Complete all pre‑launch safety checks before starting a spaceflight

2 years imprisonment

Before you can launch a rocket you must be satisfied that every safety requirement has been met – the vehicle, launch site, range, crew, emergency services and security all need to be confirmed as ready. You must obtain signed confirmations from the relevant parties and keep records showing that each condition was checked and met.

Contractor s.99 IPO before any spaceflight activity is commenced

Conduct training, competence assessments and mission rehearsals before launches

You must keep staff competence up to date by carrying out regular assessments, retraining anyone who fails and retesting them. Before any launch you also need to run full mission rehearsals that realistically mimic the planned flight, covering normal and abnormal situations and involving all relevant staff (and participants where needed).

Trader/Business s.70 IPO Before each spaceflight launch and at intervals set by the training manager …

Control use, access and transfer of US technology in space activities

If your business holds a licence to use US‑origin technology for spaceflight, you must only use that technology for the purposes approved by the US export licence. You must keep it away from unauthorised people, stop any unauthorised transfers, supervise any unloading, and tell the UK regulator about any US authorisation details you receive.

Trader/Business s.197 IPO When your business is a licence holder using US technology for licensed …

Create and control a safety clear zone for launch and recovery activities

If you hold a spaceport licence, you must set up a defined safety clear zone around any hazardous pre‑flight or post‑flight work, unless your safety case shows it isn’t needed. You must publish where and when the zone applies, keep it under continuous watch, and stop anyone from entering unless they are essential for the operation.

Trader/Business s.157 IPO When your current safety case indicates a safety clear zone is required …

Create and maintain a cyber security strategy for spaceflight systems

If your business holds a licence for spaceflight operations, you must produce a cyber security strategy for all the networks and information systems you use in those operations. The strategy has to be risk‑based, proportionate, meet UK international obligations and cover employees, suppliers and the supply chain. You must keep it up‑to‑date, review it at least every 12 months or whenever you upgrade the systems, and send the reviewed version to the regulator.

Trader/Business s.185 IPO When you hold a licence for spaceflight operations

Define and communicate crew or remote‑pilot roles and duties

Before you launch a vehicle with people on board – or one that will be flown by a remote pilot – you must decide exactly what each crew member (or the remote pilot) will be responsible for, make sure they understand those responsibilities, and give them a written checklist of their duties. This has to be done for every launch you carry out.

Employer s.106 IPO When the launch vehicle carries a crew or is operated by a …

Demonstrate compliance with safety regulations in safety case and risk assessments

If you run a spaceflight operation you must show, in your safety case (and any updates to it), how your activities meet the safety regulations that apply to you. If your launch carries a person – crew, remote pilot or paying participant – you also need to show how you meet the extra safety rules that relate to those occupants.

Contractor s.83 IPO When carrying out spaceflight activities; additional requirement if the launch vehicle carries …

Designate a safe static‑engine test area at your spaceport

If your spaceport carries out static‑engine tests of launch vehicles, carrier aircraft or payloads that could cause a major accident, you must set aside a specific area that is fit for that testing. The suitability of the area must be judged against the safety case you already hold for the spaceport.

Trader/Business s.161 IPO When static‑engine testing of carrier aircraft, launch vehicles, payloads or any similar …

Designate, record and mark hazardous material storage areas

If you run a spaceport and store any hazardous material, you must set aside suitable areas for that storage, work out how much and what type you will keep there, and show the details on your site plan with the required distances from buildings, roads and the public. Each store must also be clearly signed so anyone can see what is stored there.

Trader/Business s.158 IPO when storing hazardous material at your spaceport

Designate safe handling and venting areas for hazardous material

If you run a licensed spaceport, you must set aside specific locations for handling and venting any hazardous material. Those locations must suit the type and amount of material, have surfaces that won’t be damaged or cause a leak, and be chosen based on the assessment in your current safety case.

Trader/Business s.159 IPO Whenever hazardous material is handled or vented at the spaceport

Determine crew and participant numbers before each flight

Before you launch any spaceflight, you must decide exactly how many crew members, cabin crew and spaceflight participants will be on board. Your calculation must consider licence conditions, vehicle limits, configuration, mission length, medical needs, available seats and any other safety‑relevant factors.

Contractor s.110 IPO Before each spaceflight activity begins

Ensure appropriate security training and qualifications for security staff

If you hold a space licence, you must make sure the security manager and anyone performing security or cyber‑security duties have the right training and qualifications. You also need to keep the regulator informed of any changes to the training programme and provide general security‑awareness training before staff can access the site unescorted.

Any Person s.188 IPO

Ensure consent forms do not weaken required statements

When you issue a consent form under the Space Industry Regulations, you must make sure it does not contain any clause that changes or reduces the mandatory statements set out in regulation 207. In practice, this means checking the content of every consent form before it is signed to confirm it matches the required statements exactly.

Trader/Business s.208 IPO When preparing or issuing a consent form required by regulation 207

Ensure crew and participants hold valid medical fitness certification

If you run a spaceflight or provide training on a launch vehicle, you must make sure every crew member, remote pilot and spaceflight participant is medically fit before they take part. This means obtaining a valid medical certificate (for crew/remote pilots) or a fitness confirmation (for participants) from an approved aeromedical examiner and meeting any conditions the examiner sets.

Any Person s.73 IPO When you conduct spaceflight activities or related training on a launch vehicle

Ensure crew can reach and operate all cockpit controls

If your launch vehicle carries a crew, you must make sure that every instrument, system and piece of equipment needed by the pilot in command and any other crew member can be operated and accessed directly from the seat they are sitting in. This means designing the vehicle and arranging the layout so the crew never have to leave their seat to use a control.

Trader/Business s.111 IPO Only applies when the launch vehicle has a flight crew (human occupants).

Ensure launch director checks safety concerns and records them

If your company holds a launch operator licence, you must make sure the appointed launch director checks that every safety issue raised about your spaceflight has been dealt with before you launch, is on‑site at the mission control centre during the flight, and keeps written records of those safety concerns and how they were resolved.

Trader/Business s.88 IPO When your spaceflight activities are authorised by a launch operator licence

Ensure launch site and range are fit for your spaceflight

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must make sure that any spaceport, launch or landing site and the associated range you use are suitable for the specific flight you are planning. In practice this means carrying out checks, assessments and any required upgrades so the facilities are safe and capable of supporting your mission.

Trader/Business s.95 IPO

Ensure launch vehicle is fit before carrying participants

You must not put any spaceflight participant on a launch vehicle unless the vehicle has been proven fit for the specific spaceflight activity you are carrying out, as set out in regulation 91. In practice this means checking the vehicle’s certification, condition and suitability before each launch that carries a passenger.

Contractor s.120 IPO When you intend to carry a spaceflight participant on a launch vehicle

Ensure launch vehicle is fit for spaceflight activities

Before you launch, you must be sure the rocket or launch vehicle is suitable for the mission. That means it meets the technical design specs, has been built to those specs, has passed all required verification and validation checks, follows any licence conditions and, if it will carry people, has the required safety systems installed.

Trader/Business s.91 IPO Whenever your business uses a launch vehicle for a spaceflight

Ensure medical fitness of crew, pilots and participants

You must make sure that anyone who flies on your launch vehicle or remotely pilots it holds a valid medical certificate and remains fit to carry out safety‑critical tasks. Set up checks – medical exams by an approved aeromedical examiner, self‑declarations and reporting of any unfitness – and carry them out before anyone starts a duty.

Any Person s.72 IPO When carrying out licensed spaceflight activities

Ensure participants are seated and restrained during launch

If your launch vehicle is operated by a remote pilot, you must make sure every spaceflight participant sits in their assigned seat and is secured with a safety belt or other restraint before launch, during taxiing, during high‑acceleration phases, on landing and whenever safety requires. Keep a simple checklist and sign‑off at each stage to show the checks have been done.

Any Person s.118 IPO When a launch vehicle is controlled by a remote pilot

Ensure participants are seated and restrained during launch and flight

If you run a launch vehicle that has a pilot in command, you must make sure the pilot keeps every passenger in their assigned seat and fastened with a safety belt or other restraint. This has to be done before launch, during taxiing, during the high‑g phases of flight and any other time needed for safety, so you need clear procedures and checks in place.

Any Person s.117 IPO When a launch vehicle has a pilot in command

Ensure participants are seated and restrained during launch without a pilot

If your launch vehicle does not have a pilot in command or a remote pilot, you (as the launch director or safety manager) must make sure every spaceflight participant is in their assigned seat and strapped in with a belt or other restraint. This has to be done before launch, during any taxiing, during the most intense acceleration phases, at landing and any other time needed for safety.

Any Person s.119 IPO When the launch vehicle has no pilot in command or remote pilot …

Ensure qualified, trained and medically fit staff for licensed space activities

If your company holds a space industry licence, you must make sure anyone performing a specified role (or the capacity of a remote pilot) has the right qualifications, training and is medically fit. You also need to keep a compliant training programme and manual, and run a training management system that matches the scale of your activities.

Any Person s.58 IPO Applies to any holder of a space industry licence (except a return …

Ensure reusable launch vehicle is fit and document maintenance

If you reuse a launch vehicle, you must carry out any needed maintenance, servicing, repair or part replacement so it meets the technical standards before each launch, and you must produce a written report confirming the work and circulate it to relevant staff. This guarantees the vehicle is safe and compliant for your spaceflight activities.

Trader/Business s.93 IPO Before launching a vehicle that has been used on a previous flight …

Ensure spaceflight activities are carried out safely

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must make sure every launch, flight or related activity is performed safely. This means following your up‑to‑date safety case to stop major accidents and, if they happen, reduce their impact, and using your current risk assessment to protect any people on board.

Any Person s.79 IPO

Ensure training manual sections meet regulatory standards

When you submit parts of your training manual for regulator approval, you must make sure those sections follow the requirements in Part 2 of Schedule 3 and are suitable for the activities you carry out. The regulator will check the scope, structure, content, any referenced material and how relevant the sections are to your licensed space activities.

Trader/Business s.67 IPO When seeking regulator approval of training‑manual sections under regulation 66(1)(b)

Enter into and maintain relevant agreements for range‑control services

If your business provides range‑control services that include monitoring a designated launch range, you must sign a written agreement with the specified authorities before you start, include the required information, give a copy to the regulator, review the agreement each year and obtain regulator approval before any change or termination. If the other party ends the agreement, you must promptly replace it and inform the regulator.

Trader/Business s.43 IPO when your business provides range‑control services that include monitoring the designated range

Give occupants chance to ask and receive answers to questions before signing consent

Before a passenger signs the spaceflight consent form, you must let them ask any questions about the flight information (as set out in regs 209‑210) and provide clear answers. You can do this either in writing or verbally, but the answers must be easy to understand.

Contractor s.211 IPO When a human occupant is about to sign the consent form for …

Give pilot authority to issue commands

If your launch vehicle uses a pilot in command or a remote pilot, you must formally give that pilot the power to give the commands, make the decisions and take the actions set out in regulation 115. In practice this means documenting that the pilot has the required authority before the flight.

Employer s.108 IPO Launch vehicle has a pilot in command or a remote pilot

Implement a compliant safety management system

If you run a spaceflight business, you must put in place a safety management system that meets the detailed requirements set out in Schedule 4 of the Space Industry Regulations 2021. This system should document how you manage risks, assign responsibilities, monitor performance and continually improve safety for all your spaceflight activities. You need to keep it up‑to‑date and be ready to show it to the regulator.

Trader/Business s.85 IPO

Include required details in spaceflight consent forms

Whenever you ask a person to sign a consent form for a spaceflight, you must make sure the form contains all the information set out in the regulation – personal details, your company’s details, the launch‑vehicle design, the current risk assessment and, for participants, launch and landing sites, flight date, name, trajectory and duration. The same applies each time a consent form is issued.

Contractor s.206 IPO When obtaining consent from a spaceflight participant or crew for a flight

Include required statements in spaceflight consent forms

If your company runs spaceflights with human passengers, you must give each passenger a consent form that contains a set list of statements. The form must show the passenger meets the required criteria, has read the latest risk assessment, has been able to ask questions and received answers, acknowledges the inherent danger (including possible death), and confirms they have not been pressured to sign. This has to be done before the passenger signs the form and before the flight.

Trader/Business s.207 IPO When a human occupant is to take part in your spaceflight activities

Investigate, report and manage crew overexposure incidents

If your spaceflight business believes a crew member may have been exposed to excessive cosmic radiation, you must start an investigation straight away and try to prove no over‑exposure within 14 days. If you cannot, you must tell the regulator, the relevant doctor and the crew, arrange any requested medical checks, work out the radiation dose, put in place steps to stop it happening again, and keep all investigation records for the periods set out in the law.

Any Person s.141 IPO Reasonable cause to believe a crew member has been over‑exposed while on …

Keep crew seated at stations during flight

2 years imprisonment

If your business launches a vehicle with a crew, you must make sure each crew member stays in their seat, secured by a belt or similar device, for the whole flight. They can only leave their seat temporarily if there is another qualified crew member to cover the role and there is an urgent physiological or operational reason.

Employer s.116 IPO When your launch vehicle carries a flight crew, pilot in command or …

Keep occurrence information confidential and preserve anonymity

If your company reports a spaceflight incident, you must not share the confidential details with anyone unless the regulation specifically permits it or a court orders it. You also have to protect the identity of the licence holder, the person who prepared the report and any other people involved, and you can only pass on US technical data if you have US government consent.

Any Person s.277 IPO When your business reports or receives a spaceflight occurrence report

Limit crew exposure to cosmic radiation

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must not assign anyone to a launch or carrier aircraft if their expected cosmic radiation dose would be over the legal limits – 6 mSv per year for normal crew and 20 mSv per year for classified crew. You need to check the likely dose before you employ or assign them to the flight.

Employer s.135 IPO When a crew member’s expected annual cosmic radiation dose would exceed 6 …

Load dangerous goods only when licence permits

You must not put hazardous items on a launch vehicle unless your launch or return operator licence specifically allows it, and you must follow any conditions attached to that permission. Before loading, check the licence and keep records showing you complied with its terms.

Trader/Business s.98 IPO When loading or permitting dangerous goods on a launch vehicle (including placing, …

Locate horizontal spaceport at a certified or CAA‑licensed aerodrome

If you run a horizontal spaceport, you must set it up at an aerodrome that already has a civil aviation certification or a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. In practice this means you cannot simply pick any airfield – you need to check that it meets the required status before you lease or build on it.

Trader/Business s.153 IPO When establishing or operating a horizontal spaceport

Maintain a compliant safety management system

If you hold a licence to run a spaceport, you must have a safety management system in place that meets the detailed requirements set out in Schedule 4 of the Regulations. This means developing, documenting and keeping up‑to‑date a system that covers all safety aspects of your operations.

Any Person s.163 IPO when you are a spaceport licence holder

Maintain adequate training resources and control third‑party arrangements

You must have enough staff, facilities and equipment to meet the training requirements of your space‑industry licence. If you use a third party to provide training, equipment or medical checks, you must keep full control over what is delivered, let the regulator see any records, and record the arrangement in a written contract. The licence holder remains liable for the work, even when a third party is used.

Employer s.59 IPO

Maintain and implement a security programme for your space site

If your licence requires a security manager, you must have a written security programme for the site, keep it current, review it at least once a year and send any updates to the regulator. You also need to follow the procedures set out in the programme in day‑to‑day operations.

Trader/Business s.170 IPO When your licence requires a security manager for a space site

Maintain and provide a spaceport manual for staff

If you run a licensed spaceport you must produce a spaceport manual (or an annex to your aerodrome manual for horizontal sites) that covers everything staff need to do their jobs safely. You must keep the manual up‑to‑date, send any changes to the regulator, make any regulator‑required changes, give each employee the relevant part of the manual and make sure they understand and follow it.

Contractor s.164 IPO

Maintain and test an emergency response plan for spaceflight activities

If you run a spaceflight operation you must have a written emergency response plan that explains how you will deal with incidents during launches, landings and other spaceflight activities. The plan must be fit‑for‑purpose, be kept up to date, be tested at least every three years and any test results or changes must be sent to the regulator.

Trader/Business s.104 IPO

Maintain and test an emergency response plan for your spaceport

If you hold a spaceport licence, you must have a written emergency response plan that fits the activities you carry out and is coordinated with the local authority, emergency services and any other organisations operating at the site. You need to test that plan and, if necessary, revise it at least every three years, and you must send the test results and any changes to the regulator right away.

Trader/Business s.165 IPO

Maintain an operator security programme for spaceflight activities

If your business is a spaceflight operator and must appoint a security manager, you need to produce and keep up‑to‑date a written security programme. This programme must be linked to the site security programme, be reviewed at least every 12 months, sent to the regulator after each review, and detail how you protect launch vehicles, payloads, flight‑safety systems, staff vetting, monitoring and any US‑origin technology.

Contractor s.171 IPO When a security manager is required under Chapter 1 of Part 3 …

Maintain real‑time communication with relevant authorities for spaceflight

Your spaceflight licence requires you to set up and keep a communication system that lets you speak instantly with the designated authority while any launch or flight is in progress. This system must allow you to share information about other aircraft or vessels that could pose a risk and to issue warnings or take action to avoid damage to you or to them.

Any Person s.45 IPO

Maintain resources and organisation to support safe spaceflight

If you run a spaceflight business and hold a launch or return operator licence, you must have the money, technical capability, staff, facilities and management structure needed to carry out the flights safely. Your organisation must also be able to meet the safety regulations and continuously look for ways to improve safety.

Trader/Business s.84 IPO When you hold a launch operator licence or a return operator licence …

Maintain safe breathable atmosphere for crew on launch vehicles

If your business operates launch vehicles that carry people, you must keep the air inside the crew areas safe to breathe. This means continuously monitoring and controlling oxygen, carbon dioxide, pressure, temperature, humidity, contaminants and ventilation, or providing equipment that does so, throughout the mission.

Trader/Business s.113 IPO When a launch vehicle is inhabited by human occupants

Maintain, update and provide a safety operations manual

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must keep a current safety operations manual that contains all the procedures your staff need to work safely. Whenever the manual is changed you must consult any spaceport licencee and range‑control provider, send the updated version to the regulator straight away, and make sure the relevant sections are available to, and understood by, your operating staff.

Trader/Business s.90 IPO

Manage changes to the training manual and notify regulator

If you change any material detail in your space‑industry training manual, you must tell the regulator in writing as soon as you can. You also cannot modify the scope, location, structure, instructors, competence standards, facilities/equipment, or medical‑exam arrangements for training without first getting the regulator’s written approval.

Employer s.68 IPO When you propose any material change to the training manual or to …

Manage processing of US technology after a normal launch

If your business is the special launch operator for a US launch vehicle or spacecraft that launches as planned, you must tightly control any US equipment, data or recovered hardware. You may only let UK participants handle it if they have US Government authorisation, you must destroy or export unused US items, return technical data to approved sites, and send any recovered hardware to approved locations. If you plan to recover a US vehicle outside the UK, you must tell the regulator as soon as possible.

Contractor s.201 IPO After a normal launch of a US launch vehicle or spacecraft that …

Manage security controls for payloads and launch vehicles

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must put security measures in place for any payloads or launch vehicles before they enter the spaceport’s restricted area. You need to tell the spaceport licence holder what controls you’ll use, get a signed security declaration from the manufacturer and transporter, keep final say over entry, inform the nominated responsible person and ensure staff handling them are properly trained.

Contractor s.178 IPO Whenever payloads or launch vehicles are to be admitted to the space …

Manage security risks and cooperate with CPNI/NCSC for essential services

If the Secretary of State (after consulting the CPNI) decides that your space site or spaceflight activities are part of critical national infrastructure or essential services, you must put in place suitable security measures and work with the CPNI and the National Cyber Security Centre to keep those services running safely.

Any Person s.191 IPO When the Secretary of State (in consultation with the CPNI) designates your …

Monitor and manage launch vehicle once in orbit

If you operate a launch vehicle, you must keep track of its path and orbital details after it reaches a stable orbit and take reasonable steps to avoid interfering with others, limit accident risks and prevent space or Earth contamination. If you later decide to bring the vehicle back into the atmosphere, you must do so safely. These duties are continuous while the vehicle is in orbit.

Any Person s.101 IPO When your launch vehicle has achieved a stable orbit (or when you …

Monitor and share weather and environmental data for spaceflights

When you run spaceflight activities you must keep an eye on the weather and environmental conditions that could affect safety. Any new information has to be passed straight away to the key internal staff (accountable manager, safety manager, launch director where relevant) and to external parties such as the range‑control provider and the spaceport licence holder.

Contractor s.97 IPO When carrying out spaceflight activities

Monitor cosmic‑radiation exposure for non‑classified crew

If you run a spaceflight, you must keep track of the cosmic‑radiation dose each crew member who is not already classified as ‘classified crew’ receives. The monitoring has to be good enough to spot anyone who should be re‑classified under regulation 143. You can do this by using any of the approved dose‑calculation programmes (CARI‑7, EPCARD, SIEVERT PN or PCAire).

Contractor s.139 IPO When a flight carries crew members who are not classified crew

Monitor cosmic radiation exposure of classified crew

As a spaceflight operator you must track the amount of cosmic radiation each classified crew member receives during flights. Use approved computer programmes (CARI‑7, EPCARD, SIEVERT PN or PCAire) or an equivalent tool to calculate the effective dose for each person and keep those records.

Contractor s.146 IPO Whenever you have classified crew on a carrier aircraft or launch vehicle

Monitor flight safety system is not automated, have qualified staff ready to decide on flight termination

2 years imprisonment

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must watch the launch vehicle’s flight live until it reaches a stable orbit (or finishes its sub‑orbital mission) or, on its return, until it lands in the UK. Where the vehicle’s safety system is not fully automated, you must also have designated personnel who can make a flight‑termination decision if a malfunction or any safety‑threatening issue arises during the flight.

Trader/Business s.100 IPO During any authorised launch or return flight of a launch vehicle covered …

Notify regulator of safety case revisions and obtain written approval before changes

If you change your spaceport safety case, you must send the revised case (and any other information the regulator asks for) to the regulator straight away, and in some situations before the change is made. If, after a regulator‑mandated review, you decide not to revise the safety case you must tell the regulator in writing why. You cannot carry out any operational changes until the regulator confirms in writing that it accepts the revised safety case.

Trader/Business s.156 IPO When you revise your safety case or after a safety‑case review under …

Obtain occupant signatures on consent form within 24 hours before flight

You must make sure any human occupant signs both copies of the consent form no more than 24 hours before they take part in your spaceflight activities. If the form covers several flights, the signature must be taken no later than 24 hours before the first flight. This means planning the signing process and keeping the signed forms ready before the flight day.

Any Person s.213 IPO When a person is taking part in the operator’s spaceflight activities (or …

Obtain regulator permission before taking or using US technology for launches

If your company is a UK space‑industry licence holder, you must not take possession of any US‑origin equipment or technology that has been imported into the UK for launch work, and you must not let another UK participant do so, unless you have written permission from the regulator. Even if you already have the equipment, you can only use it for launch activities with that permission, and you must follow any Technology Transfer Control Plan you have signed.

Trader/Business s.198 IPO When your business takes possession of US‑origin equipment or technology imported into …

Pilot must safely command flight and report non‑compliance

If you or someone you employ is the pilot in command or remote pilot of a launch vehicle, you have to make all the decisions and actions needed to keep the flight safe. If anything you do or say does not meet the law or licence rules, you must let the spaceflight operator and the regulator know as soon as practical.

Any Person s.115 IPO When acting as pilot in command or remote pilot on a launch …

Prepare and submit a comprehensive safety case for your launch licence

If you’re applying for a launch operator licence, you must put together a safety case that covers everything from the mission plan, organisational details and technical data to risk analyses for both flight and ground operations. This document must be submitted as part of your licence application and show how you’ll prevent major accidents.

Contractor Schedule 1 IPO When applying for a launch operator licence

Prepare and submit a safety case for your spaceport licence

If you want a licence to operate a spaceport, you must produce a detailed safety case and give it to the regulator with your application. The safety case has to describe the site, the planned spaceflight and other activities, identify all major accident hazards, assess their likelihood and severity, and set out the measures you will use to keep risks as low as reasonably practicable, including a safety clear zone.

Trader/Business s.36 IPO When applying for a spaceport licence

Prepare, approve and keep up‑to‑date a training manual

If your company holds (or is applying for) a space licence, you must write a training manual that meets the detailed requirements in the Regulations, get the regulator to approve the sections that relate to your staff, and then give the approved manual (or the relevant parts) to your employees, any external trainers you use and to students on your training programmes. You also need to keep the manual current at all times.

Trader/Business s.66 IPO When you are a licence holder or licence applicant under the Space …

Prepare hazard analyses and safety operations manual

For every major accident risk you identify, you must work out how it could happen, what might cause it, how likely it is and what the consequences could be. Then you evaluate the overall risk, set measures to prevent or limit the accident, define performance standards and review arrangements, and compile all of this into a safety operations manual that you also discuss with the proposed spaceport licence holder and range‑control provider.

Any Person s.28 IPO When a major accident hazard is identified in the safety case

Propose and maintain clearly‑marked segregated areas for US technology

If your company holds a launch licence, you must ask the UK Secretary of State and the US Government to set aside a segregated area before you carry out any launch activity. You also have to make sure the boundaries of any such area are clearly marked, especially if it is used to store recovered US launch equipment after an accident.

Trader/Business s.192 IPO When intending to carry out launch activities or when storing recovered US …

Protect exclusion/restricted zones and issue warning notices

If your business provides range‑control services that include monitoring a hazard area, you must keep any exclusion or restricted zones secure from unauthorised entry while those zones are in operation. You also have to publish a warning notice for any warning zone in line with regulation 51. In practice this means putting barriers, security or signage in place and keeping records that the notice was issued correctly.

Any Person s.48 IPO When your licence’s range‑control services include monitoring a hazard area

Protect integrated payload, carrier aircraft and launch vehicle

Once you have mated a payload to a carrier aircraft or launch vehicle at a spaceport, you must keep them safe from any unauthorised access or interference. You also need to make sure you follow any other rules that apply to the aerodrome you are using. In practice this means having robust security measures and checking you meet all relevant aerodrome legislation before launch.

Trader/Business s.183 IPO After the payload has been integrated with the carrier aircraft or launch …

Protect pregnant crew from radiation exposure

You must tell all crew members to give you early notice if they become pregnant, because radiation can harm the unborn child. If a pregnant crew member’s medical certificate is reinstated, you must keep the radiation dose to the baby as low as reasonably achievable and ensure it does not exceed 1 mSv for the rest of the pregnancy.

Employer s.138 IPO When a crew member is pregnant and their medical certificate suspension is …

Provide emergency equipment and evacuation procedures for launch vehicle

You must fit your launch vehicle with suitable emergency kits and a way for any crew or passengers to evacuate, and you must make sure they know where the kits are, how to use them and that the information is available on board before flight.

Contractor s.112 IPO

Provide reliable communication for spaceflight activities

When you run a spaceflight, you must have dependable communication links between your mission control (or ground control) and the range‑control service, the spaceport licence holder, weather, air‑navigation and emergency services. You also need a reliable way for the launch vehicle, carrier aircraft and any other participating aircraft to talk to mission control throughout the flight.

Any Person s.96 IPO During any spaceflight activity where communication is needed

Provide rescue and fire‑fighting personnel, facilities and equipment

If you run a licensed spaceport you must have rescue teams, fire‑fighting staff, the right facilities and equipment available when they’re needed. The level and type of provision must match the kinds of spaceflight activities you carry out and the risks identified in your safety case.

Trader/Business s.166 IPO

Provide resources for individuals in prescribed roles

If your company holds a space licence and you have to appoint someone to a specific role required by the regulations, you must make sure they have the equipment, funding, training and other support needed to do the job properly.

Trader/Business s.12 IPO When you are required to appoint an individual to a prescribed role …

Provide safety‑relevant information to crew or remote pilot

If your launch vehicle carries a flight crew, you must give each crew member all the information they need to fly safely. If the vehicle is controlled by a remote pilot, you must give that pilot the same safety information. In short, before any flight you must hand over the full briefing package to the people actually operating the vehicle.

Any Person s.107 IPO when the launch vehicle has a flight crew or a remote pilot

Provide seating requirement to every spaceflight participant

If you run a spaceflight service, you must give each passenger a copy of the seating requirement set out in regulation 121. This ensures every participant knows the rules about where they will sit before the flight.

Trader/Business s.122 IPO When you have a spaceflight participant on a launch

Provide the resources, staff and systems needed for range control services

If your business holds a licence to provide range‑control services for spaceflight operators, you must have the equipment, money, technical capability, qualified people, management structure, communication networks, facilities and a reliable power supply to carry out those services. You also need to be able to meet any health‑and‑safety or other legal requirements that apply to the service.

Trader/Business s.42 IPO When you are a licensed provider of range‑control services for spaceflight activities

Provide updated flight information to each human occupant before launch

Before any spaceflight begins, you must give every passenger the latest safety and mission information that has become available since they signed the consent form. This ensures that occupants are fully informed of any new risks or updates before they fly.

Contractor s.123 IPO Each time a spaceflight is about to start, after occupants have signed …

Return US technology if export licence is revoked

If your business uses US technology under a US export licence and that licence is later revoked, you must arrange for any of that technology you have imported to be sent back to the US, or moved to another location only if the US Government authorises it. This duty applies as soon as the revocation occurs.

Trader/Business s.200 IPO If a US export licence or authorisation for the US technology you …

Review and revise safety case and risk assessment as required

If you run a spaceflight operation you must check your safety case (and, when people are on board, the risk assessment) and update them whenever you plan a change that could affect safety, or after any incident, new safety information or regulator direction. The review must be done before the change is put into practice and promptly after any of the listed events.

Any Person s.80 IPO before any operational change, vehicle modification, activity change, or flight‑safety system change …

Review and update your spaceport safety case

You must check your safety case at least every five years and whenever something happens that could affect safety – for example an incident at your site, a new launch vehicle, a change to hazardous materials, or a regulator’s direction. If you plan any modifications to the spaceport, new activities, new carriers, payloads or hazardous substances, you must review (and if needed, revise) the safety case before the change takes place.

Trader/Business s.155 IPO a) every 5 years from licence grant and thereafter at intervals not …

Secure flight safety systems and report incidents

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must put security measures in place for every part of your flight safety system, including when it’s inside the launch vehicle. You also need to keep the system safe during transport and storage, and tell the police and the regulator straight away if anything is stolen or tampered with.

Trader/Business s.184 IPO

Secure hazardous material at space‑related sites

If your company stores or handles hazardous material at any spaceport or space site (including storage, handling, venting, testing or dispensing areas), you must put in place security measures. You need to consider any legal or contractual limits on the material and ensure you can detect and respond to unauthorised access or interference.

Trader/Business s.181 IPO When hazardous material is stored, handled, vented, dispensed or tested at any …

Separate and manage range‑control services from spaceflight activities

If you run a licensed spaceflight operation you must set up a clear management system that keeps the team delivering range‑control services totally separate from the team carrying out the flight itself. This means appointing dedicated staff, creating independent reporting lines, establishing safe communication routes and a formal, independent complaints and investigation process to avoid any conflict of interest.

Employer s.54 IPO

Test and verify launch vehicle and ground support equipment before launch

Before you run a spaceflight you must check that both the launch vehicle and the ground support equipment are safe and suitable. This means carrying out testing, analysis, reviews and integrated tests, recording the results in writing, and making sure the relevant staff see those results before the launch takes place.

Trader/Business s.94 IPO

Notifications 1

Allow US Government oversight and notify them of launch changes

If you run a launch operation that involves US spacecraft or technology, you must let the US Government watch your launch activities. If a US launch is delayed, cancelled or you plan to remove or load US hardware, you must promptly tell the US Government (and any US partners you think need to know).

Contractor s.196 IPO When a US spacecraft or launch‑vehicle launch is delayed, cancelled, or when …

Other requirements 4

Give a duplicate consent form to the spaceflight operator

After a person has signed the consent form, they must hand over or send a copy of that signed form to the company running the spaceflight. This ensures the operator has a record to refer to during the flight.

Occupier s.214 IPO once the human occupant signs the consent form

Locate horizontal spaceport at a certified/CAA‑licensed, NASP‑directed aerodrome

If you want a licence for a horizontal spaceport, you must choose a site that is an aerodrome which is either certified or licensed by the CAA and is also subject to direction by the Secretary of State under the Aviation Security Act. You’ll need to provide proof of these approvals as part of your licence application.

Trader/Business s.35 IPO When applying for a licence for a horizontal spaceport

Prepare written consent form in duplicate

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must produce the consent form on paper and make two copies of it. This gives the occupant a form to sign and leaves you with a backup for your records.

Contractor s.212 IPO

Provide information to occupants before consent is signed

Before a person signs a consent form to take part in a spaceflight, you must give them easy‑to‑understand information about the flight’s current risk assessment, what emergency services are available if something goes wrong, and (for crew or task‑specialists) details of their expected cosmic‑radiation exposure. This must be done at least 24 hours but no more than one month before they sign.

Contractor s.210 IPO When a human occupant is about to sign a consent form for …

Policies 2

Keep protected information confidential

If your business holds information that the Space Industry Regulations label as ‘protected’, you must not share it with anyone unless the regulations specifically allow it. This means you need internal rules and checks to stop unauthorised disclosure.

Any Person s.255 IPO When your business holds information classified as protected under the Space Industry …

Keep spaceflight participants securely seated during flight

If your business is running a spaceflight, you must make sure every participant is seated and safely secured with a seat belt or other approved restraint for the entire duration of the flight. They cannot leave that seat unless a pilot, crew member, remote pilot, launch director (or safety manager, depending on licence) explicitly authorises it.

Employer s.121 IPO

Offences and prohibitions 23

Commit offence under Space Industry Regulations 124‑132

2 years imprisonment

If your business breaches any of the duties set out in regulations 124 to 132 (for example, failing to meet obligations of a launch director, safety manager or spaceflight participant), you can be prosecuted. On summary conviction you face a fine (unlimited in England and Wales; limited to the statutory maximum in Scotland and Northern Ireland). On indictment you could be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.133 IPO

Disclose protected information

If you or someone in your business reveals information that is classified as ‘protected’ under regulation 255, you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or prison, depending on the severity of the breach. Ensure that any confidential or restricted data is handled in line with the Space Industry Regulations to avoid prosecution.

Any Person s.256 IPO

Disclose protected information

2 years imprisonment

If your business discloses protected information covered by regulation 256, you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction in England and Wales you face an unlimited fine; in Scotland or Northern Ireland the fine is limited to the statutory maximum. On conviction on indictment you could be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Any Person s.258 IPO

Fail to comply with a stop notice

2 years imprisonment

If your company (or you as a relevant person) receives a stop notice that orders you to halt an activity and you do not act within the time limit set in the notice, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined – the fine is unlimited if the case goes to Crown Court – and/or jailed for up to two years. The offence can be tried either in a magistrates’ court (summary) or in the Crown Court (indictment).

Any Person s.269 IPO

Fail to comply with information notice

Unlimited fine

If your company ignores or does not follow an information notice issued under regulation 230, you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction you will be fined – the fine is unlimited in England and Wales and likewise unlimited (level 5) in Scotland and Northern Ireland. No prison term is provided for this breach.

Any Person s.231 IPO

Fail to comply with information notice

If your business does not follow an information notice sent by the regulator – that is, you fail to provide the information the regulator requires – you commit a criminal offence. You can only avoid liability by proving you took all reasonable steps and exercised due diligence to prevent the breach. A conviction can lead to fines and/or imprisonment as set out in the Regulations.

Any Person s.230 IPO

Fail to comply with medical fitness requirements

Unlimited fine

If a crew member or remote pilot knows or suspects they are physically or mentally unfit – for example because of injury, illness, medication, surgery, fatigue, pregnancy or similar – and they do not inform the spaceflight operator’s approved aeromedical examiner or obtain the required medical assessment, they commit an offence. On summary conviction the person faces an unlimited fine.

Any Person s.74 IPO

Fail to control access to imported US technology

2 years imprisonment

If your business owns or possesses US‑origin technology, you must ensure it is kept under the control of a person authorised by the US Government during transport, launch preparation and the launch itself. Failing to keep that control in place is a criminal offence. On conviction you could be fined without limit and, if tried on indictment, face up to two years’ imprisonment (or both).

Any Person s.194 IPO

Fail to ensure spaceflight participant is seated and restrained

2 years imprisonment

If the pilot in command does not make sure a spaceflight participant is in the assigned seat and is secured with a safety belt or other restraint at the times set out in regulation 117, the pilot commits a criminal offence. This applies even if the pilot has no reasonable excuse. A conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment, or both, depending on how the court decides the case.

Any Person s.129 IPO

Fail to inform regulator of changes

2 years imprisonment

If your space business does not tell the regulator (Ofcom or the IPO) about required changes—such as ownership, control, or operational details—you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction you face an unlimited fine, and if the case goes to Crown Court you could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.

Any Person s.284 IPO

Fail to inform regulator of changes or provide false information

2 years imprisonment

If your space business does not follow the reporting duties set out in regulation 282, or you deliberately give the regulator false or reckless information about those changes, you commit a criminal offence. The offence applies to any “relevant person” (e.g. a licence holder). Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, the exact maximum punishments being set elsewhere in the Regulations.

Any Person s.283 IPO

Fail to secure spaceflight participant in assigned seat

If a remote pilot does not, without a reasonable excuse, make sure a spaceflight participant is seated at their assigned station and correctly restrained by a seat‑belt or other device when required by regulation 118, the pilot commits a criminal offence. A conviction could lead to a fine, imprisonment or both, depending on how the courts classify the offence. Businesses that operate remotely‑piloted spacecraft must have procedures to check seating and restraints at the times set out in the regulations.

Any Person s.130 IPO

Fail to secure spaceflight participant in seat

2 years imprisonment

If you are the launch director or the safety manager for a spaceflight and you do not make sure a participant is sitting in their assigned seat and correctly restrained (by safety belt or other device) at the times specified in the regulations, you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and possibly imprisonment, under the general penalties set out elsewhere in the Regulations.

Director/Officer s.131 IPO

Impersonate a space industry inspector

If you, or anyone acting on your behalf, pretends to be an inspector authorised under the Space Industry Regulations, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, depending on the court and the seriousness of the deception.

Any Person s.225 IPO

Impersonate a space regulator inspector

Unlimited fine

If anyone pretends to be an inspector under the Space Industry Regulations – for example, claiming to be an Ofcom or IPO inspector – they commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction in a magistrates' court the person faces an unlimited fine. The offence applies regardless of whether the impersonation occurs in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Any Person s.226 IPO

Make false statements in material matters

If you, or someone acting for your business, give a statement that you know is false – or act recklessly – about a material point while trying to comply with regulation 229, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, with the exact penalties set out in the later penalty provision.

Any Person s.232 IPO

Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

6 months imprisonment

If you or someone acting for your business interferes with an Ofcom or IPO inspector carrying out duties under the Space Industry Regulations, you commit an offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine, and if tried on indictment you could also be sentenced to up to six months in prison, or both. The case can be dealt with in either a Magistrates' Court (summary) or a Crown Court (indictment).

Any Person s.224 IPO

Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

If you deliberately block, hinder or otherwise impede an inspector or regulator who is carrying out powers or duties under the Space Industry Regulations, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, with the exact penalties set out in the following section of the Regulations.

Any Person s.223 IPO

Obstruct spaceport firefighter in an emergency

2 years imprisonment

If anyone – for example a spaceport operator, staff member or visitor – blocks or interferes with a spaceport rescue or fire‑fighting officer who is acting under their powers during an emergency, they commit a criminal offence. On conviction the offender can be fined (unlimited amount) on summary conviction, or face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both if tried on indictment.

Any Person s.167 IPO

Provide false information to regulator

2 years imprisonment

If your business knowingly, or recklessly, makes a false statement about a material fact while claiming to comply with regulation 271, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can result in an unlimited fine and, depending on the court, a term of imprisonment.

Any Person s.279 IPO

Provide false information to regulators

2 years imprisonment

If you give false or misleading information to the space regulator in breach of regulation 232, you commit a criminal offence. Depending on how the case is tried you could be fined (with no upper limit) or, on indictment, face up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Any Person s.233 IPO

Submit false recording

2 years imprisonment

If you or your business creates a false record as defined in regulation 234, you commit an offence. On summary conviction you face a fine (unlimited in England & Wales, capped at the statutory maximum in Scotland and Northern Ireland). On conviction on indictment you could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.236 IPO

Use or tamper with false or unauthorised space‑industry documents

If you knowingly use, lend, damage, alter, destroy or create false records, licences or certificates that are required under the Space Industry Regulations 2021, you commit a criminal offence. The same applies if you make false entries or omit material facts in such records. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment as set out in the Act’s penalty provisions.

Any Person s.234 IPO

Record keeping 12

Create, keep and protect health records for classified crew

If you run a spaceflight operation, you must produce a written health record for every crew member you classify as a ‘classified crew member’. Keep that record while they remain classified and retain it until the later of their 75th birthday or 30 years after their last exposure to cosmic radiation. You also have to give a copy to the crew member or an approved doctor on request and keep the record confidential.

Trader/Business s.145 IPO When you have a crew member classified as a classified crew member

Keep and give a written record of information to human occupants

If you run a spaceflight, you must write down exactly what information you give each passenger, along with the date and time it was given. You must also hand the passenger a copy of that record before they sign the consent form. This provides proof of what was communicated and protects both you and the passenger.

Trader/Business s.215 IPO When providing the required pre‑flight information to a human occupant (i.e., before …

Keep and submit crew radiation exposure records

If you run a spaceflight operation you must keep a written record for every classified crew member that shows who they are and the dates of any cosmic‑radiation monitoring. You must retain each record until the later of the crew member’s 75th birthday or 30 years after their last exposure on a launch or carrier flight. Then, each year you must send the regulator a copy of all the records from the previous calendar year by 31 March.

Any Person s.147 IPO

Keep training and qualification records for security staff

If your company holds a space‑industry licence, you must retain proof of the training and qualifications of anyone who carries out security duties at your space site. Keep these records for the whole time the person is employed in that security role.

Employer s.189 IPO When an individual is engaged to carry out security functions at the …

Keep training and related records for at least two years

If your company holds a space‑industry licence, you must retain all training manuals, participant assessments, rehearsal logs, equipment details, instructor lists, third‑party agreements, medical records, consent forms and any other documents that prove your training complies with the licence and the Regulations. These records must be kept for a minimum of two years, starting on 1 January of the year after they were created.

Any Person s.60 IPO

Maintain and share medical records for crew and remote pilots

Whenever you (as a spaceflight operator) have a crew member or remote pilot undergo a medical check, you must keep a record of that assessment, give the results to the person and to yourself, and send a copy to the regulator. You also have to keep those records confidential and produce them to the regulator if they ask.

Trader/Business s.77 IPO Whenever a medical assessment or examination is carried out for an individual …

Obtain a signed and dated consent form from each human occupant

Before a person can occupy a spacecraft you must make sure they sign the consent form, write the date and record the exact time they signed. An electronic signature is acceptable, so you can use a digital signing system. Keep the signed form as proof that consent was given.

Occupier s.216 IPO

Prepare and retain passenger and dangerous‑goods lists

Before every launch you must write down the names and addresses of everyone on the launch vehicle (and any carrier aircraft) and record every dangerous good carried on board. Keep those records for three years after the launch date.

Contractor s.102 IPO When you launch a vehicle that carries people or dangerous goods

Provide crew radiation exposure records on request

If you run a spaceflight operation you must give a copy of a crew member’s cosmic‑radiation exposure record to anyone who is an “interested person” – the crew member themselves, another operator, an employer, or an approved doctor – when they ask for it. You must do this promptly and keep the records confidential.

Any Person s.148 IPO Receipt of a valid request from an interested person as defined in …

Record and address safety concerns for spaceflight operations

You must make sure the accountable manager deals with any safety issue reported about your launch or return missions, and that a written record is kept of the issue and how it was resolved. This has to happen before a launch starts and throughout any launch‑ or return‑licensed activity.

Trader/Business s.87 IPO When a safety concern is reported about your spaceflight activities (launch or …

Record, collect and retain data for spaceflight activities

If you run a launch or return licence for a spaceflight, you must keep detailed records of all communications, flight‑recorder data, telemetry, safety case documents, regulator correspondence, maintenance logs and any other safety‑relevant information. These records must be kept from the day the licence is granted until three years after the licence ends (or only until the mission finishes if no accident and the data are only on the flight recorder).

Contractor s.103 IPO When operating a launch or return vehicle under a licence

Retain your spaceport safety case for the whole licence period

If you hold a spaceport licence, you must keep the current safety case on file for as long as that licence is valid. In practice this means storing the safety case (paper or electronic) and making sure it is not destroyed or lost while the licence is in force.

Trader/Business s.154 IPO while your spaceport licence is in force

Registration and licensing 1

Submit written licence application in regulator's specified form

If you need a licence to carry out space‑related activities, you must send a written application to the regulator using the form they prescribe and include all the information they require. The application has to be in the exact format and contain the exact details set out by the regulator.

Any Person s.18 IPO When you apply for a space industry licence

Reporting and filing 13

Notify regulator of changes to prescribed role holders

If you hold a space industry licence and need to replace someone in a prescribed role, you must tell the regulator in writing before the change takes effect. If a role holder dies, becomes unable, or refuses to continue, you must inform the regulator as soon as possible.

Trader/Business s.13 IPO When you intend to change a person in a prescribed role, or …

Provide information requested in regulator's notice

If the space regulator serves you an information notice, you must give them the requested details, in the form and by the deadline they set. This may involve written responses, oral interviews, or creating new documents, and the information must be clear and legible.

Any Person s.228 IPO When you are served an information notice by the space regulator

Provide requested information to the regulator

If the Space regulator sends you an information notice, you must give them the data they ask for by the date set in that notice. You can do this yourself or make sure someone else does it for you. Not complying can lead to criminal prosecution.

Any Person s.229 IPO When you receive an information notice from the regulator

Provide risk assessment information for human spaceflight licence

If your company applies for a licence to carry out spaceflight with people on board, you must give the regulator proof you can meet the relevant safety regulations and a written record of your risk assessment. You also need to explain any safety measures you considered but chose not to use, and, if asked, provide the assessment in a plain‑language format and promptly update the regulator if the assessment changes.

Trader/Business s.33 IPO When applying for a licence to conduct spaceflight activities involving human occupants

Provide safety information to occupants before consent signing

If you run a spaceflight service and a person is about to sign a consent form to fly, you must give them written, easy‑to‑understand safety information. This includes details of past launches, any deaths/injuries, accident history, safety recommendations from investigations and what you have done to improve safety after any accident. The information must be handed over between 24 hours and one month before the consent form is signed.

Contractor s.209 IPO A human occupant is about to sign a consent form for a …

Report nationality of contributors to launch or spaceport activities

If you apply for a launch operator licence that uses US technology together with a non‑US vehicle or a foreign spacecraft, or you apply for a spaceport licence that will host US spacecraft or launch vehicles, you must tell the regulator the nationality of anyone who has funded, supplied equipment, technology or staff for any essential part of the vehicle, spacecraft, launch business or launch facilities. After you have the licence you must also inform the regulator promptly of any changes to that information.

Trader/Business s.202 IPO When applying for a launch operator licence that involves US technology with …

Report notifiable incidents to the regulator within 72 hours

If your company holds a space‑flight licence and an incident occurs that could affect the security of your network or information systems, you must tell the regulator as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after you become aware of it.

Any Person s.186 IPO When a notifiable incident occurs – an event that the regulator and …

Report occurrences to the regulator within 72 hours

If your business holds a space‑industry licence and an incident (an “occurrence”) occurs, you must inform the regulator in writing within 72 hours of learning about it. The report must follow the objectives set out in regulation 272.

Trader/Business s.271 IPO When an occurrence happens that the licence holder becomes aware of

Submit a complete safety case with licence application

When you apply for a launch or return operator licence you must give the regulator a safety case that sets out detailed information about your company, the planned flight, the results of safety analyses and any consulted parties. If you later change any of this information you must send the updated safety case to the regulator as soon as possible.

Trader/Business s.29 IPO When making an application for a launch operator licence or a return …

Submit a detailed occurrence report after any spaceflight incident

If your company holds a spaceflight licence and an incident (an occurrence) happens, you must produce an occurrence report that includes your details, what happened, any injuries or deaths, the incident category, actions taken and who you have notified. The report must be sent to the regulator and any other investigating bodies.

Trader/Business s.274 IPO When an occurrence (incident) related to your licensed spaceflight activities takes place

Submit revised risk assessment and wait for regulator approval before launching

If your business runs a crewed launch vehicle and you review the risk assessment under regulation 80, you must promptly send the revised assessment (or, if you decide not to revise it, a written explanation) to the regulator. You cannot make any operational changes or launch the vehicle until the regulator formally confirms it accepts the revised assessment.

Contractor s.82 IPO When the risk assessment for a launch vehicle with a human occupant …

Submit revised safety case to regulator and await approval before changes or launch

When you have reviewed your safety case under the Regulations, you must promptly send the regulator a copy of the revised safety case together with any test results or technical analysis that support the changes. If you decide not to revise the safety case, you still have to inform the regulator in writing and give the reasons. You cannot make any changes to your spaceflight activities or start a launch until the regulator confirms in writing that it accepts the revised safety case.

Contractor s.81 IPO When a safety case review under regulation 80 results in a revision, …

Submit safety operations manual to regulator with licence application

When you apply for a launch or return operator licence you must give the regulator a copy of your safety operations manual. If you later change that manual, you must send the updated version to the regulator straight away.

Trader/Business s.30 IPO When applying for a launch operator licence or a return operator licence, …

Training 5

Establish and maintain a training programme for all licencee personnel

If your business holds a space‑flight licence, you must set up a training programme that combines practical and theoretical learning. It must cover everyone who will be on a launch vehicle or carrier aircraft, any staff or contractors performing a specified role, and even participants who are not in a defined role. The programme must include initial, proficiency and mission‑readiness training plus formal assessments of training needs, completion and competence.

Trader/Business s.69 IPO When your business holds a space‑flight licence (launch vehicle or carrier aircraft …

Provide radiation risk information and training to crew

If you run a spaceflight operation you must give every crew member clear information about the health risks from cosmic radiation and train them on how you assess and monitor that exposure. The training has to be completed before they start any duties on the carrier aircraft or launch vehicle.

Employer s.140 IPO

Provide security training for staff using US technology

If your company is a special launch operator, you must make sure every employee who works on a launch that uses US technology gets training on the security measures that apply to that technology. This applies whether or not the employee’s role is directly related to security.

Contractor s.199 IPO When staff are carrying out spaceflight activities that involve US technology

Provide training, qualifications and licences for spaceflight personnel

If your business runs spaceflight activities you must make sure that every person involved – launch directors, flight‑termination staff, flight crew, remote pilots, engineers and range managers – holds the required licences, has completed the appropriate practical and simulated training and can demonstrate the competence needed for both normal and abnormal situations. You must keep records proving that this training and qualification have been carried out before each launch or flight.

Employer Schedule 3 IPO When carrying out spaceflight operations that require a launch director, flight‑termination personnel, …

Renew security training for manager, security staff and all employees

Your space‑industry licence holder must keep security training up to date. The security manager’s own training must be refreshed at least every 36 months, the training for any staff who perform security functions must be refreshed at least every 13 months, and general security awareness training for all other staff must be refreshed at least every five years.

Trader/Business s.190 IPO

Penalties for non-compliance

30 penalties under this legislation. 17 can result in imprisonment. 20 carry an unlimited fine.

Prison risk

Fail to inform regulator of changes or provide false information

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.14 Penalises: Assess and inform crew of cosmic radiation exposure

Prison risk

Fail to check launch conditions before flight

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.124 Penalises: Complete all pre‑launch safety checks before starting a …

Prison risk

Leave your seat or station without permission

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.128 Penalises: Keep crew seated at stations during flight

Prison risk

Fail to make required flight termination decision

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.125 Penalises: Monitor flight safety system is not automated, have …

Prison risk

Commit offence under Space Industry Regulations 124‑132

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.133 Penalises: Commit offence under Space Industry Regulations 124‑132

Prison risk

Disclose protected information

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.258 Penalises: Disclose protected information

Prison risk

Fail to comply with a stop notice

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.269 Penalises: Fail to comply with a stop notice

Prison risk

Fail to control access to imported US technology

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.194 Penalises: Fail to control access to imported US technology

Prison risk

Fail to ensure spaceflight participant is seated and restrained

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.129 Penalises: Fail to ensure spaceflight participant is seated and …

Prison risk

Fail to inform regulator of changes

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.284 Penalises: Fail to inform regulator of changes

Prison risk

Fail to inform regulator of changes or provide false information

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.283 Penalises: Fail to inform regulator of changes or provide …

Prison risk

Fail to secure spaceflight participant in seat

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.131 Penalises: Fail to secure spaceflight participant in seat

Prison risk

Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Either way s.224 Penalises: Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

Prison risk

Obstruct spaceport firefighter in an emergency

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.167 Penalises: Obstruct spaceport firefighter in an emergency

Prison risk

Provide false information to regulator

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.279 Penalises: Provide false information to regulator

Prison risk

Provide false information to regulators

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.233 Penalises: Provide false information to regulators

Prison risk

Submit false recording

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.236 Penalises: Submit false recording

Unlimited fine

Fail to comply with information notice

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.231 Penalises: Fail to comply with information notice

Unlimited fine

Fail to comply with medical fitness requirements

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.74 Penalises: Fail to comply with medical fitness requirements

Unlimited fine

Impersonate a space regulator inspector

Unlimited fine

Summary only s.226 Penalises: Impersonate a space regulator inspector

Fine

Fail to carry out pre‑flight pilot obligations

Penalty applies

s.126 Penalises: Inspect launch vehicle and review records before flight

Fine

Fail to protect confidential information

Penalty applies

s.280 Penalises: Keep occurrence information confidential and preserve anonymity

Fine

Fail to carry out flight safely

Penalty applies

s.127 Penalises: Pilot must safely command flight and report non‑compliance

Fine

Disclose protected information

Penalty applies

Either way s.256 Penalises: Disclose protected information

Fine

Fail to comply with information notice

Penalty applies

s.230 Penalises: Fail to comply with information notice

Fine

Fail to secure spaceflight participant in assigned seat

Penalty applies

s.130 Penalises: Fail to secure spaceflight participant in assigned seat

Fine

Impersonate a space industry inspector

Penalty applies

Either way s.225 Penalises: Impersonate a space industry inspector

Fine

Make false statements in material matters

Penalty applies

s.232 Penalises: Make false statements in material matters

Fine

Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

Penalty applies

s.223 Penalises: Obstruct a space inspector or regulator

Fine

Use or tamper with false or unauthorised space‑industry documents

Penalty applies

Either way s.234 Penalises: Use or tamper with false or unauthorised space‑industry …

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

287 classified provisions from this legislation.

158 Duties 34 Offences and penalties 18 Powers 28 Definitions 20 Exemptions

Duties 158

• Schedule 1 Information the safety case must contain →
• Schedule 3 Training and qualification role in relation →
• s.7 Prescribed roles: spaceport licensees The spaceport licensee →
• s.8 Prescribed role: all operators The operator →
• s.9 Prescribed roles: spaceflight operators The spaceflight operator →
• s.11 Prescribed roles: range control licensees The range control licensee →
• s.12 Licensee’s duty to ensure necessary resources for individuals in prescribed roles the licensee →
• s.13 Duty to inform regulator of changes: individuals in prescribed roles →
• s.18 How to apply for a licence →
• s.19 How the regulator considers the application information relating →
• s.21 Preparation of the licence and informing the applicant of its grant conditions →
• s.22 Informing the applicant of the refusal of a licence →
• s.26 Flight safety analysis →
• s.27 Ground safety analysis →
• s.28 Steps to be taken for each identified hazard appropriate measures →
• s.29 Contents of the safety case →
• s.30 Applicant to provide safety operations manual to regulator →
• s.32 Prescribed requirements for risk assessment appropriate measures →
• s.33 Information to be provided to regulator about risk assessment of regulations 106 →
• s.35 Grant of a spaceport licence: prescribed criteria for horizontal spaceports →
• ... and 138 more duties

Offences and penalties 34

• s.14 Offence of failure to inform regulator of changes: individuals in prescribed roles →
• s.74 Illness, injury and related conditions →
• s.124 Failure of launch director to check conditions met before operator’s spaceflight activities commence →
• s.125 Failure of flight termination personnel to follow obligation to make a flight termination decision →
• s.126 Failure of a pilot in command or remote pilot to carry out obligations before the flight →
• s.127 Failure of pilot in command or remote pilot to carry out flight safely →
• s.128 Failure of a pilot in command, flight crew or a remote pilot to remain at stations →
• s.129 Failure of a pilot in command to carry out obligations to a spaceflight participant about stations →
• s.130 Failure of a remote pilot to carry out obligations to a spaceflight participant about stations →
• s.131 Failure of a launch director or a safety manager to carry out obligations to a spaceflight participant about stations →
• s.132 Failure of a spaceflight participant to remain at station →
• s.133 Penalties →
• s.167 Powers of spaceport firefighters in an emergency →
• s.194 Control of access to imported US technology →
• s.223 Offence to obstruct inspector or regulator →
• s.224 Penalty for obstructing inspector or regulator →
• s.225 Offence to impersonate inspector →
• s.226 Penalty for impersonating inspector →
• s.230 Offence of failing to comply with information notice →
• s.231 Penalty for failing to comply with information notice →
• ... and 14 more offences and penalties

Powers 18

• s.17 Delegation of power to the regulator →
• s.24 Withdrawal of an application for a licence →
• s.75 Disability →
• s.239 Powers of inspector →
• s.241 Power of entry →
• s.242 Power to take persons and equipment etc. onto premises or vehicle →
• s.243 Powers of inspection and examination and to take samples →
• s.244 Powers to require information and documents →
• s.246 Power to require the use of facilities and assistance →
• s.247 Power to issue contravention notice →
• s.248 Power to issue warning notice →
• s.249 Power to issue prohibition notice →
• s.250 Appealing against notice under regulation 249 →
• s.251 Supplementary powers →
• s.252 Protection for documents subject to legal professional privilege etc. →
• s.253 Regulator may share information →
• s.268 Compensation →
• s.278 Court application for disclosure →

Definitions 28

• s.2 Interpretation the Act spaceflight accident accountable manager →
• s.5 Application of eligibility criteria officer partner →
• s.16 Interpretation of this Chapter licence →
• s.25 Interpretation applicant proposed range control service provider proposed spaceport licensee →
• s.34 Interpretation actual vehicle applicant licensed activities →
• s.39 “Members of the public”: prescribed meaning under section 2(7) for the purpose of section 10(a) (grant of a spaceport licence) →
• s.40 Persons who are not members of the public →
• s.41 Interpretation communication network designated place designated site →
• s.49 Requirement to notify persons owner →
• s.55 Interpretation licensee safety-critical function specified capacity →
• s.61 The training manager →
• s.78 Interpretation current safety case flight flight recorder →
• s.105 Interpretation carried out safely →
• s.134 Interpretation approved doctor approved medical assessor carrier aircraft cabin crew →
• s.143 Classification of crew →
• s.151 Interpretation current safety case licensed activities operational area →
• s.168 Interpretation controlled area essential services NASP directed aerodrome →
• s.203 Interpretation injury →
• s.205 Prescribed criteria with respect to age and mental capacity →
• s.222 Interpretation contravention notice information inspector →
• ... and 8 more definitions

Exemptions 20

• s.4 Concurrent appointment for functions of issuing guidance →
• s.10 Additional prescribed role for operators to whom regulation 9 does not apply →
• s.15 Operator licences: exemptions →
• s.37 Grant of a spaceport licence: safety clear zone requirement →
• s.142 Continued working of overexposed crew →
• s.160 Propellants etc.: fit for purpose requirement →
• s.172 Access control to space sites: sufficient security measures →
• s.173 Access control to space sites: further provisions →
• s.174 Space site security restricted area and controlled area →
• s.176 Security controls for prohibited articles →
• s.180 Surveillance of space sites →
• s.187 National security vetting procedures →
• s.193 Control of access to segregated area →
• s.218 Prescribed description of individuals to whom section 34(2) does not apply →
• s.219 Prescribed cases or circumstances under which a limit on the operator’s liability to government does not apply →
• s.220 Limit on the amount of operator’s liability →
• s.245 Powers exercisable in relation to particular articles or substances →
• s.259 Disclosure with consent →
• s.261 Disclosure to authorities →
• s.262 Disclosure required under legislation →