The Space Industry Act 2018 (c. 5) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced by Chris Grayling as Secretary of State for Transport to extend and improve the regulatory framework for commercial spaceflight activities (involving both launch to orbit and sub-orbital spaceflight) to be carried out from spaceports in the United Kingdom and launches and other activities overseas by UK entities. It operates in conjunction with the Outer Space Act 1986.[1]
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | A Bill to make provision about space activities and suborbital activities; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2018 c. 5 |
| Introduced by | Chris Grayling (Commons) Lord Callanan (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 March 2018 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 Transport Act 2000 |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
Outline of provisions
editThe Act prohibits the carrying on of spaceflight and specified associated activities without a licence and breach of this prohibition will be an offence. The Secretary of State is the regulatory authority and has a duty to secure public safety in carrying out his or her functions under the Act. There are powers to enable the Civil Aviation Authority or other persons to carry out functions on behalf of the Secretary of State. Applicants for licences will also be required to meet any requirements set out in secondary legislation made under this Act.[2]
It creates offences including:
- Hijacking of spacecraft
- Destroying, damaging or endangering safety of spacecraft
- Endangering safety at spaceports
- Possession of a firearm or explosive at a spaceport or on a spacecraft
Prosecutions under this act require the consent of the Attorney General for England and Wales or the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland.
References
edit- ^ Puschman, Nicholas; et al. (August 2020). "One giant (regulatory) leap for UK spaceflight: the launch of the UK Government's consultation on the supporting regulations to the Space Industry Act 2018". Bird & Bird. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Department for Transport (2018). Space Industry Bill [HL]: Explanatory Notes (PDF). London.
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