Consultation outcome

Spaceport and spaceflight activities: regulations and guidance

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Space industry regulations consultations: summary of views received and government's response

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Detail of outcome

In 2020, the government ran 2 consultations to seek views on:

  1. the operability and effectiveness of the draft space industry regulations, and associated guidance and supporting documents (this consultation, which opened in July 2020)
  2. the government’s approach to liabilities, insurance and charging (October 2020)

Responses received to both consultations were analysed by a multidisciplinary team comprising the Department for Transport, the UK Space Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority.

As a result of these consultations, we are making amendments to the draft regulations, guidance and impact assessment.

The joint outcome and summary of responses for both consultations were released on 5 March 2021.

Detail of feedback received

We received thoughtful and detailed responses from across the sector and the 4 nations of the UK.

In addition to responses from expected respondents (such as prospective licensees, insurance and banking/finance companies), we also received responses from school children eager to learn more about the regulation of this exciting sector.

Respondents:

  • were largely supportive of the proposed regime and provided practical evidence to support their views on our proposed approaches
  • welcomed the flexibility of the regulations, with respondents embracing the non-prescriptive approach taken by the government

A full summary of public feedback, including detailed written responses to each question and common themes raised by respondents, is included in the consultation outcome.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on the draft regulations and guidance documents needed to operate a spaceport or to carry out spaceflight activities from the UK.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

Consultation seeking views on the various draft regulations and guidance documents needed to:

  • operate a spaceport
  • carry out spaceflight activities
  • provide range control services

The information comprises the:

  • space industry regulations
  • accident investigation regulations
  • appeals regulations

Also included are:

  • associated guidance documents
  • the regulator’s licensing rules
  • an impact assessment

This consultation builds on the Space Industry Act 2018 which received Royal Assent in 2018 and created the high-level legal framework to enable commercial spaceflight and associated activities to be carried out from the UK.

It’s recommended that respondents to this consultation also refer to the Outer Space Act 1986, which currently governs the space activities of UK entities.

Documents

The space industry regulations 2020

Accident investigation regulations

Consultation impact assessment

The regulator's licensing rules

Guidance on applying for a licence

Updates to this page

Published 29 July 2020
Last updated 5 March 2021 + show all updates
  1. Published joint government response to this consultation and Commercial spaceflight: insurance and liabilities requirements consultation.

  2. First published.

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