Space Industry Act 2018

Space Industry Act 2018
Act of Parliament
coat of arms
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to make provision about space activities and suborbital activities; and for connected purposes.
Citation2018 c. 5
Introduced byChris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport (Commons)
Lord Callanan (Lords)
Dates
Royal assent15 March 2018
Other legislation
AmendsRailways and Transport Safety Act 2003
Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
Transport Act 2000
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended

The Space Industry Act 2018 (c. 5) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom

Provisions

The act extended the regulatory framework for commercial spaceflight activities (involving both launch to orbit and sub-orbital spaceflight) to be carried out from spaceports in the United Kingdom and launches and other activities overseas by UK entities.[1] It operates in conjunction with the Outer Space Act 1986.[2]

The act prohibits the carrying on of spaceflight and specified associated activities without a licence and breach of this prohibition will be an offence. The Secretary of State is the regulatory authority and has a duty to secure public safety in carrying out his or her functions under the Act. There are powers to enable the Civil Aviation Authority or other persons to carry out functions on behalf of the Secretary of State.[3] Applicants for licences will also be required to meet any requirements set out in secondary legislation made under this Act.[4]

It creates offences including:

  • Hijacking of spacecraft
  • Destroying, damaging or endangering safety of spacecraft
  • Endangering safety at spaceports
  • Possession of a firearm or explosive at a spaceport or on a spacecraft

Prosecutions under this act require the consent of the Attorney General for England and Wales or the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland.

References

  1. ^ Pearson, Ezzy (25 March 2019). "New laws start exciting era for UK space industry". BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  2. ^ Puschman, Nicholas; et al. (August 2020). "One giant (regulatory) leap for UK spaceflight: the launch of the UK Government's consultation on the supporting regulations to the Space Industry Act 2018". Bird & Bird. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  3. ^ Simmonds, Alexander (4 August 2025). The Space Legislation of the United Kingdom. Brill | Nijhoff. doi:10.1163/9789004732551_004. ISBN 978-90-04-73255-1.
  4. ^ Department for Transport (2018). Space Industry Bill [HL]: Explanatory Notes (PDF). London: Government of the United Kingdom.
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