Collection

Commercial spaceflight

Information, documents and announcements related to the commercial spaceflight programme in the UK.

• From: UK Space Agency, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Department for Transport, Civil Aviation Authority, and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 8 February 2017
• Last updated: 27 September 2021 — See all updates

Find out more about LaunchUK

Read our guide to discover more about our ambitions to enable a world-leading market for regular, reliable and responsible access to space.

This collection draws together work being done by the UK Spaceflight Programme to enable commercial markets for small satellite launch and sub-orbital flight in the UK. The programme is delivered by the UK Space Agency, Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority and is establishing new laws and regulations, incentivising growth in the market and engaging internationally.

For spaceflight related enquires please contact: spaceflight@ukspaceagency.gov.uk

News

• Lift off for UK spaceflight as regulations passed
  • 29 July 2021
  • News story
• Space launch from British soil one step closer
  • 5 March 2021
  • News story
• One small step towards spaceflight in the UK as government publishes environmental guidance
  • 10 February 2021
  • News story
• Lockheed Martin and Orbex to launch UK into new space age
  • 16 July 2018
  • Press release
• New laws unlock exciting space era for UK
  • 15 March 2018
  • News story
• U.S.-UK Trade and Investment Working Group Statement
  • 15 November 2017
  • News story
• New legal powers could send UK scientists into space to research vaccines and medicines
  • 20 February 2017
  • News story
• Government announces boost for UK commercial space sector
  • 9 February 2017
  • Press release

Events

• LaunchUK: Roadshow
  • 1 November 2017
  • Notice
• LaunchUK: campaign launch
  • 7 March 2017
  • Notice

Legislation

Space Industry Act

• Call for evidence: Space Industry Act 2018
  • 28 May 2019
  • Notice
• Space Industry Bill: policy scoping notes
  • 20 July 2017
  • Policy paper
• Draft Spaceflight Bill: government response to Science and Technology Committee report
  • 22 June 2017
  • Policy paper
• Draft Spaceflight Bill
  • 21 February 2017
  • Policy paper

Guidance

• Commercial spaceflight: launch liabilities and insurance
  • 27 September 2021
  • Guidance
• UK commercial spaceflight: apply for a licence
  • 29 July 2021
  • Guidance
• Commercial spaceflight regulation: environmental objectives
  • 25 June 2021
  • Guidance

Publications, reports and consultations

• Commercial spaceflight: environmental objectives for the spaceflight regulator
  • 25 June 2021
  • Consultation outcome
• Commercial spaceflight: insurance and liabilities requirements
  • 5 March 2021
  • Consultation outcome
• Spaceport and spaceflight activities: regulations and guidance
  • 5 March 2021
  • Consultation outcome
• Call for evidence: Space Industry Act 2018
  • 28 May 2019
  • Notice
• Evaluation: UK Spaceport Business Case
  • 11 October 2018
  • Research and analysis
• Commercial spaceplane certification and operations: UK government review
  • 15 July 2014
  • Research and analysis
• Spaceport: locations and criteria
  • 3 March 2015
  • Consultation outcome
• Commercial spaceplane operations: memorandum of cooperation
  • 22 August 2014
  • Policy paper

Funding Opportunities

Download the latest call for proposals.

• Call for proposals: Commercial Range Services to enable civil launch in the UK
  • 15 January 2019
  • Notice
• Call for proposals: low cost access to space from the UK
  • 9 February 2017
  • Notice
• LaunchUK: other sources of funding and support
  • 10 October 2017
  • Notice

Published 8 February 2017
Last updated 27 September 2021 + show all updates

1. 27 September 2021

   Added Commercial spaceflight: launch liabilities and insurance.

2. 29 July 2021

   Added UK commercial spaceflight: apply for a licence.

3. 25 June 2021

   Added Commercial spaceflight: environmental objectives for regulators.

4. 5 March 2021

   Published joint response to spaceport and spaceflight activities and commercial spaceflight: insurance and liabilities requirements consultations, plus news story.

5. 11 December 2018

   News and contents updated.

6. 9 February 2017

   Call for proposals added.

7. 8 February 2017

   First published.