Regulating spaceflight (UK)
The Government is committed to enabling safe and sustainable commercial growth in the spaceflight sector through efficient and effective regulation. This means that if you wish to carry out spaceflight activities, you will need to apply for a licence from either the UK Space Agency or the Civil Aviation Authority. These licences are:
•satellite operator licence
•launch vehicle operator licence
•spaceport licence
•range control licence
Currently it is only possible to apply for a satellite operator licence under the Outer Space Act 1986. However, once the Space Industry Act 2018 and the associated secondary legislation are in force, it will also be possible to apply for licences relating to launch from the UK.
Find out more information on applying for a satellite operator licence, including what to expect from the licensing process and the obligations of licensees.
Find out more information about applying for a launch vehicle operator, spaceport or range control licence in the future.
For any spaceflight related queries, contact us at [email protected]
For a collection of further information, documents and past announcements, visit the commercial spaceflight programme information page.
If you are interested in carrying out spaceflight activity or associated activity under the Space Industry Act 2018, and would like to meet the UK Space Agency and Civil Aviation Authority to tell us about your plans, please get in touch at [email protected]
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