Operating an Orbital Space Object: Rules and Regulations
Summary
The UK Civil Aviation Authority and partner agencies published guidance on rules for operating orbital space objects such as satellites. The guidance details licensing requirements under the Space Industry Act 2018 and Outer Space Act 1986, including orbital operator licences, liability and insurance requirements, satellite spectrum licensing via Ofcom, and technical and safety assessment requirements. The page was updated on 17 December 2025 to add a link to licence application fee requirements guidance.
What changed
The guidance consolidates existing regulatory requirements for satellite and orbital space object operators into a single government resource. Operators must obtain an orbital operator licence from the CAA, with separate requirements depending on whether activities are conducted from the UK (Space Industry Act 2018) or outside the UK by UK nationals (Outer Space Act 1986). The guidance also details constellation operator fee refunds, Earth station licensing through Ofcom, and mandatory technical and financial assessments.
Operators seeking to launch or operate satellites should apply for the appropriate licence and complete all required question sets. Satellite constellation operators may be eligible for partial licence fee refunds. All operators must also coordinate with Ofcom for spectrum licensing and comply with health and safety requirements.
What to do next
- Apply for an orbital operator licence to operate a space object in orbit
- Contact Ofcom for satellite spectrum licensing requirements
- Complete CAA technical and financial question sets as part of the application process
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Operating an orbital space object: rules and regulations
Regulations you must comply with when operating an orbital space object. For example, a satellite.
From: Department for Business and Trade, Civil Aviation Authority, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Department for Transport, Ofcom and UK Space Agency Published 21 October 2025 Last updated 17 December 2025
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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).
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)
- licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 and the Outer Space Act 1986 (CAA)
- how space licensing works in the UK (CAA)
Legislation and regulation
You should be familiar with the following acts and regulations.
Space Industry Act 2018
The Space Industry Act 2018 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:Spaceflight Activities (Investigation of Spaceflight Accidents) Regulations 2021
Outer Space Act 1986
The Outer Space Act 1986, 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 commercialspaceflight@caa.co.uk 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
- licence application fee requirements
- orbital operator licence application fee (‘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.
Satellite spectrum licensing
Satellites
If you intend to operate a satellite, you should:
- Read the Ofcom guidance on satellite filings.
- Contact Ofcom at ifc.enquiries@ofcom.org.uk.
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.
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:
Financial information and national security
You must provide the CAA with some financial information by completing a:
- financial question set (CAA)
- 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 commercialspaceflight@caa.co.uk and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (for England, Wales and Scotland) or Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) for general advice if you believe there are requirements you should follow.
Updates to this page
Published 21 October 2025 Last updated 17 December 2025
1.
17 December 2025
Link to licence application fee requirements guidance added to the 'Liability, insurance and fees' section.
2.
30 October 2025
Health and Safety Executive contact for Northern Ireland added.
3.
21 October 2025
First published.
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