Operating an orbital space object: rules and regulations

Regulations you must comply with when operating an orbital space object. For example, a satellite.

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

Apply for any licences you need to operate an orbital space object.

An orbital operator licence allows a person or organisation to:

A licence may cover any activity in outer space and is not limited to activities in Earth’s orbit.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides general guidance on: 

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:

The following regulations provide rules for implementing the act:

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 operate a space object from a Crown Dependency or an overseas territory.

Detailed guidance on liability, insurance and licence application fees requirements for orbital operator licences on the CAA website:

If you are proposing to operate a constellation of satellites, you could be eligible for a refund of part of your licence application fee.

If you intend to operate a satellite, you should:

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.