Policy

The foundation of space law: principles governing the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. In force since 10 October 1967; 118 states are party and a further 23 have signed without ratifying, as at 1 January 2026.

UNOOSA treaty status, A/AC.105/C.2/2026/CRP.9/Rev.1 · UNOOSA status index · as of 1 Jan 2026

Establishes international liability for damage caused by space objects. In force since 1 September 1972; 100 states are party as at 1 January 2026, with four international organisations, ESA among them, declaring acceptance.

UNOOSA treaty status, A/AC.105/C.2/2026/CRP.9/Rev.1 · as of 1 Jan 2026

Requires the registration of objects launched into outer space. In force since 15 September 1976; 77 states are party as at 1 January 2026.

UNOOSA treaty status, A/AC.105/C.2/2026/CRP.9/Rev.1 · as of 1 Jan 2026

Governs activity on the Moon and other celestial bodies, and has the lowest take-up of the five UN space treaties: 17 states party as at 1 January 2026, none of them capable of independent human spaceflight. Saudi Arabia's withdrawal took effect on 5 January 2024.

UNOOSA treaty status, A/AC.105/C.2/2026/CRP.9/Rev.1 · as of 1 Jan 2026

A common set of principles for civil exploration, from transparency and interoperability to debris mitigation and deconfliction zones, reinforcing the UN treaties rather than replacing them. 70 nations have signed as of 17 July 2026, when Mauritius became the seventieth.

NASA, Artemis Accords · NASA welcomes Mauritius as 70th signatory · as of 17 Jul 2026

The ITU coordinates the radio frequencies satellites use so systems do not interfere with each other; filings must be brought into use within seven years or expire. Ofcom is the UK's notifying administration for satellite filings.

ITU, Regulation of Satellite Systems · CAA, Space licensing in the UK (CAP2602)

Adopted 29 September 2022: satellites ending their mission in or passing through low Earth orbit, below 2,000 km, must deorbit as soon as practicable and no later than five years after mission completion, replacing the old 25-year guideline for FCC-licensed systems.

FCC news release, 29 September 2022

The UK's licensing regime for launch, suborbital activity, spaceports, range control and orbital operation, regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority under the Act and the Space Industry Regulations 2021. An orbital operator licence application carries a £6,500 non-refundable fee.

CAA, Space licensing in the UK (CAP2602, September 2025)

Proposed by the European Commission on 25 June 2025 and still under negotiation by the Parliament and Council as of mid-2026, with scope, a possible presumption of authorisation and the penalty regime among the open questions in the Council's own May 2026 progress report.

European Commission, EU Space Act · European Parliament legislative train · as of 8 May 2026