Guidance

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.

From:
Department for Business and Trade, Department for Transport, UK Space Agency, Ofcom, Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Published
21 October 2025

This page is up to date

We reviewed this page on 21 October 2025. We need to review it again on 21 April 2026.

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Licences

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

Launch or return operator licences

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

  • vertically launched vehicles from a spaceport
  • air-launched vehicles from a carrier aircraft
  • suborbital spaceplanes
  • balloons that are capable of reaching the stratosphere carrying crew or passengers

Apply for a launch or return operator licence (CAA).

Large rocket permission

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.

Apply for large rocket permission (CAA).

Marine licensing

You must contact your relevant marine regulator for advice:

Guidance on applying for licences


Read general guidance on: 

Legislation and regulation

You should be familiar with the following acts and regulations.

Space Industry Act 2018

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:

  • launch, or procure the launch, of a space object
  • return a space object to Earth
  • operate a space object
  • carry out any other activity in outer space from the UK
  • carry out sub-orbital activities

The following regulations provide rules for implementing the act:

The Air Navigation Order 2016 

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

Outer Space Act 1986

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:

  • procure the launch of a space object outside the UK
  • launch a space object outside the UK
  • operate a space object outside the UK
  • carry out any other activity in outer space from outside the UK

The act has been extended to the Crown Dependencies and some UK overseas territories. Contact commercialspaceflight@caa.co.uk if you intend to launch or return a rocket, space plane or balloon from a Crown Dependency or an overseas territory.

Space launch spectrum licensing

Identify which Ofcom space launch licences you may need.

Appoint a designated spectrum adviser to liaise with Ofcom. You can contact Ofcom by emailing spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk.

Liability, insurance and fees

CAA guidance on liability, insurance and licence application fee requirements for launch operator licences.

Flexible and special use of airspace

Rocket activity launches from the UK must be segregated from other airspace users. This means you must co-ordinate with the CAA to manage special use airspace (SUA) and flexible use of airspace (FUA) requirements.

This includes ensuring you are meeting requirements and submitting regular reports.

Read the UK airspace management policy (CAA).

Safety

This section outlines some of the regulations you must follow to ensure you are compliant with safety and technical standards.

Ensuring risks are as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)

You must comply with the CAA guidelines for assessing risk to be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

Using explosive materials

If you use or store explosive materials, you must ensure you are compliant with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explosive materials regulations.

Using radiation-emitting equipment

If you use ionising radiation, you must follow the HSE Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017.

Preparing for a radiation emergency

You must conduct a hazard evaluation.

If a radiation emergency is a possibility, you must prepare a consequence assessment and submit it to the relevant authority.

Regulations for preparing for a radiation emergency (REPPIR 2019)

Handling hazardous substances correctly

You must follow the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015.

Transporting dangerous goods

You must follow the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009 (CDG) if you transport dangerous goods.

General health and safety requirements 

You must also comply with all other relevant health and safety requirements. 

Contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for general advice.

Updates to this page

Published 21 October 2025

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