How we are promoting and regulating spaceflight from the UK (update)

Spaceflight is coming to the UK

Our Spaceflight Programme, LaunchUK, aims to establish commercial vertical and horizontal small satellite launch from UK spaceports. This will support the government’s aim of growing the UK’s global market share of the space sector to 10% by 2030.

Government’s vision is for the UK to be at the global forefront of small satellite launch and emerging space transportation markets, capable of facilitating a range of commercial spaceflight activities, including small satellite and suborbital launch from the early 2020s.

Bringing launch to the UK will be a catalyst for growth in the wider space industry. Along with UK spaceports, industry and government are working together to develop launch vehicles and small satellite technology. These will be complemented by modern space services, such as cutting-edge test facilities. We are providing world-leading capability, bringing new markets to the UK and inspiring the next generation of British space scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

The UK has strong international relationships, giving us access to global markets, financing and supply chains around the world. For example, national and international space and technology companies throughout the supply chain can contribute to and benefit from the commercial opportunities offered by the UK space sector which already employs 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8 billion each year.

From the South of England to the North of Scotland, the UK offers a range of potential launch sites capable of hosting a variety of different spaceflight activity including both horizontal and vertical launch.

How are we doing this?

The government’s Spaceflight Programme brings together the UK Space Agency, Department for Transport, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Civil Aviation Authority, with support from the Health & Safety Executive.

We are putting in place a new regulatory framework to ensure a safe operating environment with the right tools to stimulate growth in the market and working with our international partners to ensure commercial spaceflight will thrive in the UK.

Growing the market

So far, government has invested £40 million to grow the UK’s spaceflight capabilities and is funding a range of industry led projects including supporting vertical launches from a spaceport in Scotland and horizontal launches from Spaceport Cornwall.

Scotland is the best place in the UK to reach in-demand polar satellite orbits with vertically launched rockets. There are also a number of aerodromes around the UK, each with their own unique geography and local infrastructure, giving the UK the capability to host a variety of different types of spaceflight activity including both horizontal and vertical launch.

Government will work with any location interested in developing a commercial spaceport, and there are a number of potential launch sites the length of the country, from Newquay in Cornwall to Unst in the Shetland Isles. Wherever you are based in the UK, you are only ever a few hours from industrial centres, world class service providers, cultural centres and global logistic hubs.

Separately, we are also investing in related facilities and technology, including £99 million for a new National Satellite Test Facility in Harwell and £60 million to develop a revolutionary hybrid air-breathing rocket engine.

The UK Space Agency and its partners across the UK government are committed to ensuring space investments build capability, advance scientific knowledge and generate strong economic return. There are a wide range of opportunities and organisations available to support space related companies in the UK, from incentives such as reduced taxes, simpler planning rules and financial benefits, to innovation funding and research grants.

The UK government sees the importance of investing resources and funding in world-class research and development (R&D) to support pioneering technology and services.

Government is committed to growing modern industrial capability across the UK, and is investing in new space facilities, technology and centres of excellence to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the ‘new commercial space age.’

For any spaceflight related queries, contact us at spaceflight@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.

Working with International Partners

We are working with international partners to develop strong global relationships, ensuring we have access to markets, financing and supply chains all around the world. Furthermore, we are establishing the safeguards, protections and international agreements needed to facilitate a range of commercial spaceflight activities.

The signing of the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) on 16 June 2020, has paved the way for US companies to operate from UK spaceports and export space launch technology, enabling the UK to access revenues and customers previously unavailable, while abiding by both countries’ commitments to non-proliferation.

Read how the new US-UK agreement will boost UK spaceport plans.

Regulating spaceflight

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 and associated activities, you will need to apply for a licence from the regulator.

We have already established the legal framework with the Space Industry Act 2018 - a flexible high-level regulatory framework, enabling companies to use pioneering technology while ensuring public safety and protecting the environment. This is an important step to develop an appropriate regulatory framework that supports safe, secure and sustainable launch-related operations from the UK.

In July 2020, the government launched a spaceflight consultation on the regulations for the UK’s spaceflight programme.

The regulations to support the Space Industry Act 2018 will enable a range of commercial spaceflight and associated activities to take place in the UK, including from any of the seven proposed spaceports, paving the way for the UK’s first ever space launch.

Once the secondary legislation to implement the Space Industry Act 2018 is in force, the Act will regulate the following activities carried out from the UK:

• launch (space or sub-orbital) and return
• the procurement of a UK launch (space or sub-orbital)
• the operation of a satellite in orbit
• the operation of a spaceport
• the provision of range control services

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 and return, spaceport or range control licence in the future.

For a collection of further information, documents and past announcements, visit the commercial spaceflight programme information page.