Launching or returning a rocket or space plane: rules and regulations

Regulations you must comply with when launching or returning a rocket or space plane.

We reviewed this page on 2 July 2026. It will be reviewed again on 2 January 2027. 

Apply for any licences you need to launch or return a rocket or space plane.

A launch or return operator licence allows a person or organisation to undertake spaceflight activities involving a launch vehicle, including:

You need permission to launch a large rocket (under the The Air Navigation Order 2016) not capable of exceeding the stratosphere.

A large rocket is defined as a rocket with a total combined motor impulse of greater than 10,240 Newton-seconds.

You must contact your relevant marine regulator for advice:

You should be familiar with the following acts and regulations.

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 do any of the following from the UK:

The following regulations provide rules for implementing the act:

The Air Navigation Order 2016 applies to rockets not capable of exceeding the stratosphere.

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:

The act has been extended to the Crown Dependencies and some UK overseas territories. Contact [email protected] if you intend to launch or return a rocket, space plane or balloon from a Crown Dependency or an overseas territory.