Operating an orbital space object: rules and regulations
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-30)

Regulations you must comply with when operating an orbital space object. For example, a satellite.

This page is up to date

We reviewed this page on 21 October 2025. We need to review it again on 21 April 2026.

Get an email when there are any changes (https://www.gov.uk/email/subscriptions/single-page/new?topic_id=operating-an-orbital-space-object-rules-and-regulations).

Licences

Apply for any licences you need to operate an orbital space object.

Orbital operator licence

An orbital operator licence allows a person or organisation to:
- operate a space object in orbit
- conduct other activity in outer space
A licence may cover any activity in outer space and is not limited to activities in Earth’s orbit.

Apply for an orbital operator licence (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/space/licences-and-permissions/orbital-operator/).

Guidance on applying for licences

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides general guidance on:
- applying for licences under the Space Industry Act 2018 (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/publications/documents/content/cap2209/)
- licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 and the Outer Space Act 1986 (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/space/guidance/guidance-for-licensing-under-the-sia-and-osa/)
- how space licensing works in the UK (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/space/licences-and-permissions/getting-started-with-licensing/)
Legislation and regulation

You should be familiar with the following acts and regulations.

Space Industry Act 2018

The Space Industry Act 2018 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/5/contents) is the legal framework for spaceflight activities carried out in the UK. You will require a licence under the Space Industry Act 2018 if you intend to:
- procure the launch of a space object from the UK
- operate a space object from the UK
The following regulations provide rules for implementing the act:
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/792/contents)
- Spaceflight Activities (Investigation of Spaceflight Accidents) Regulations 2021 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/793/contents/made)
- Space Industry (Appeals) Regulations 2021 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/816/contents/made)
Outer Space Act 1986

The Outer Space Act 1986 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/38/contents), is the legal framework for spaceflight activities carried out by UK nationals, companies and bodies from outside the UK.

You need a licence under the Outer Space Act 1986 if you intend to:
- procure the launch of a space object outside the UK
- launch a space object outside the UK
- operate a space object outside the UK
- carry out any other activity in outer space from outside the UK
The act has been extended to the Crown Dependencies and some UK overseas territories. Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you intend to operate a space object from a Crown Dependency or an overseas territory.

Liability, insurance and fees

Detailed guidance on liability, insurance and licence application fees requirements for orbital operator licences on the CAA website:
- insurance and liability (https://www.caa.co.uk/space/resources/insurance-and-liability/)
- orbital operator licence application fee (https://www.caa.co.uk/space/licences-and-permissions/orbital-operator/) (‘How much does it cost’ section)
Satellite constellations

If you are proposing to operate a constellation of satellites, you could be eligible for a refund of part of your licence application fee.

Read guidance on satellite licence fees for constellation operators (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-satellite-licence-fees/guidance-on-satellite-licence-fees-for-constellation-operators).

Satellite spectrum licensing

Satellites

If you intend to operate a satellite, you should:
- Read the Ofcom guidance on satellite filings (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/space-and-satellites/satellite-filings).
- Contact Ofcom at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).
Satellite Earth stations

While Earth station licensing is not part of the orbital operator licensing process, it enables satellite operators to deliver satellite services in and from the UK.

If you intend to operate a satellite Earth station in the UK to communicate with a satellite, you should read the Ofcom guidance on satellite Earth stations (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/space-and-satellites/satellite-earth).

Safety and technical

This section outlines some of the regulations you must follow to ensure you are compliant with safety and technical standards.

Technical question sets

For the safety and technical assessment part of your application, you will need to complete the CAA’s:
- technical question set (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/publications/documents/forms/srg2228/)
- radio frequency spectrum question set (https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/publications/documents/forms/srg2229/)
Financial information and national security

You must provide the CAA with some financial information by completing a:
- financial question set (CAA) (https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/publications/documents/forms/srg3021-orbital-financial-question-set-fqs/)
- national security proforma (available to download in the CAA portal when you apply)
General health and safety requirements

You must comply with all relevant health and safety requirements.

Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (for England, Wales and Scotland) (https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm) or Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) (https://www.hseni.gov.uk/contacts/hseni-belfast-hq) for general advice if you believe there are requirements you should follow.