National Space Laws

Space law addresses a variety of matters, such as, for example, the preservation of the space and Earth environment, liability for damages caused by space objects, the settlement of disputes, the rescue of astronauts, the sharing of information about potential dangers in outer space, the use of space-related technologies, and international cooperation. A number of fundamental principles guide the conduct of space activities, including the notion of space as the province of all humankind, the freedom of exploration and use of outer space by all states without discrimination, and the principle of non-appropriation of outer space.
UNO Space Laws and Co-operation

Space law can be described as the body of law governing space-related activities. Space law, much like general international law, comprises a variety of international agreements, treaties, conventions, and United Nations General Assembly resolutions as well as rules and regulations of international organizations.

Argentina

National Decree No. 995/91, Creation of the National Commission on Space Activities (28 May 1991)
National Decree No. 125/95, Establishment of the National Registry of Objects Launched into Outer Space (25 July 1995)

Armenia

Law No. HO-152-N on Space-related Activities of the Republic of Armenia
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia On the Rules and Conditions of Licensing of Space Activities and the Approval of the License Form (Ref. N 1984-N)
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia On Defining the Rules for Registration of Space Technology and Objects
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia On Establishing the Rules of Obtaining Agreement from the Authorised Body for the Alienation by the Operator of the Space Objects and(or) Equipment in favour of Another Operator
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia On Defining the Rules for the Use of Decommissioned State Owned Space Technology and Objects

Australia

Space Activities Act 1998 (No. 123, 1998) (as amended, taking into account amendments up to Act No. 8 of 2010)
Space Activities Regulations 2001
Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018
Space (Launches and Returns) (General) Rules 2019
Space (Launches and Returns) (Insurance) Rules 2019
Space (Launches and Returns) (High Power Rocket) Rules 2019
Flight Safety Code
Maximum Probable Loss Methodology
Australian Civil Space Strategy

Austria

Authorization of Space Activities and the Establishment of a National Space Registry (Austrian Outer Space Act)
Regulation of the Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology in Implementation of the Federal Law on the Authorisation of Space Activities and the Establishment of a National Space Registry (Outer Space Regulation BGBl. II No. 36/2015)

Belgium

Law on the Activities of Launching, Flight Operations or Guidance of Space Objects

Brazil

Law No. 8.854 of 10 February 1994, Law Establishing the Brazilian Space Agency
Decree 1.953 of 10 July, 1996 Creating the National System for the Development of Space Agencies
Law No. 9994 of 24 July, 2000
Resolution No. 51 of 26 January, 2001 on Commercial Launch Activities from the Brazilian Territory
Administrative Edict No. 27 of 20 June, 2001
Administrative Edict No. 5 of 21 February, 2002
Administrative Edict No. 96 of 30 November, 2011
Administrative Edict No. 182 of 28 May, 2020

Canada

Canadian Space Agency Act
Canadian Aviation Regulations: sections 602.43 and 602.44
Civil International Space Station Agreement Implementation Act (S.C. 1999, c. 35)
Remote Sensing Space Systems Act (S.C. 2005, c. 45)
Remote Sensing Space Systems Regulations (SOR/2007-66)
Radiocommunication Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. R-2)

Chile

Supreme Decree No. 338: Establishment of a Presidential Advisory Committee known as the Chilean Space Agency

China

China’s Space Activities (White Paper of 2016)

Colombia

Decree 2442 of 18 July 2006 on the Creation of the Colombian Commission of Space (CCE)

Denmark

The Danish Outer Space Act (act no.409 of 11 May 2016)
The Danish Executive Order on requirements in connection with approval of activities in outer space, etc.
The Danish Outer Space Act – scope of application

Ecuador

Executive Decree No. 1246 on the Creation of the Ecuadorian Space Institute

Finland

Act on Space Activities (63/2018)
Decree of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on Space Activities (74/2018)
The National Space Strategy (Finland 2025)
The Government Decree on the Finnish Space Committee (739/2019)
The national strategy for Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

France

Law No. 61-1382, 20 December 1961 Statute of the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Decree 62-153, Regulations Relating to the CNES
French Space Operations Act, No. 2008-518 (2008)
Decree No. 2009-643 of June 9, 2009 (Relating to the authorizations issued in application of law No. 2008-518 of June 3, 2008 relating to space operations)
Decree No. 2009-644 of 9 June 2009, modifying Decree No. 84-510 of 28 June 1984, relating to CNES
Decree No. 2009-640 of 9 June 2009 (Implementing the provisions provided for in Title VII of Law No. 2008-518 of June 3, 2008 relating to space operations)
Decree No. 2009-1657 of 24 December 2009 relating to the Defense and National Security Council and the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security
Order of 3 September 2019 on the creation and organization of the space command

Germany

Law governing the transfer of responsibilities for space activities
Act to give Protection against the Security Risk to the Federal Republic of Germany by the Dissemination of High-Grade Earth Remote Sensing Data
Law governing the transfer of the administrative functions in the sector of outer space activities
Satellite Data Security Act- Terminology
Satellite Data Security Act

Indonesia

Law No. 21 of 2013 on Space Activities
Presidential Regulation No. 45 of 2017 on National Plan on Space Activities year 2016 – 2040
Government Regulation No. 11 of 2018 on Remote Sensing

Italy

Law No. 23, 25 January 1983: Norms for the implementation of the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects signed in London, Moscow and Washington on 29 March 1972 (Official Gazette, General Series, No. 35, 5 February 1983)
Law No. 153, 12 July 2005: Accession of the Italian Republic to the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (New York, 14 January 1975) and its implementation (Official Gazette, General Series, No. 177, 1 August 2005)
Law Decree No. 128, 4 June 2003, Reorganisation of the Italian Space Agency (A.S.I.)
Law No. 7, 11 January 2018: Measures for the coordination of space and aerospace policy and provisions concerning the organisation and operation of the Italian Space Agency (18G00025) (Official Gazette, General Series, No. 34, 10 February 2018)

Japan

Law Concerning The National Space Development Agency Of Japan (Law No. 50 of June 23, 1969, as amended)
Law No. 161 of 2002 Concerning Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Basic Space Law
Act concerning Launch and Control of Satellites
Enforcement Order of the Act concerning the Launch and Control of Satellites
Regulation for Enforcement of the Act concerning the Launch and Control of Satellites

Act concerning Adequate Handling of Satellite Remote Sensing Data
Enforcement Order of the Act concerning Ensuring Adequate Handing of Satellite Remote Sensing Data
Regulation for Enforcement of the Act concerning Ensuring Adequate Handing of Satellites Remote Sensing Data
Act on Securing Proper Handling of Satellite Remote Sensing Records (Remote Sensing Records Act, Act No. 77 of 2016)
Act on Launching Artificial Satellites and Managing Satellites (Satellite Act, Act No. 76 of 2016)

Kazakhstan

Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Space Activities (No.528-IV of 6 January 2012)

Luxembourg

Law of 27 July 1991 on Electronic Media
Law of July 20th 2017 on the exploration and use of space resources
Law of 15 December, 2020 approving the Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on 12 ^th November 1974
Law of 15th December 2020 on Space Activities and amending:
1 ° the amended law of July 9, 1937 on the tax on insurance known as “Versicherungssteuergesetz”
2 ° the amended law of 4 December 1967 concerning income tax

Netherlands

Rules Concerning Space Activities and the Establishment of a Registry of Space Objects (Space Activities Act)
Decree of 13 November 2007, containing rules with regard to a registry of information concerning space objects (Space Objects Registry Decree)
Order of the Minister of Economic Affairs dated 7 February 2008, no. WJZ 7119929, containing rules governing licence applications for the performance of space activities and the registration of space objects
Form for registration of space objects (Annex 1 by article 4 of the ” Regeling aanvraag vergunning ruimtevaartactiviteiten en registratie”)
Order of the Minister of Economic Affairs dated 16 April 2010, no. WJZ/10020347, containing amendments to rules governing licence applications for the performance of space activities and the registration of space objects

Decree of 19 January 2015 expanding the scope of the Space Activities Act to include the control of unguided satellites (Unguided Satellites Decree)
Order by the Minister of Economic Affairs of 26 June 2015, no. WJZ/15055654, amending the Space Activities Licence Application and Registration Order, in connection with changes to the application form

New Zealand

Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017
Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2017
Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities (Definition of High-Altitude Vehicle) Regulations 2017

Nigeria

National Space Research and Development Agency Act (NASRDA Act)

Norway

No. 38, 13 June 1969, Act on Launching Objects from Norwegian Territory into Outer Space

Philippines

Commonwealth Act No. 146 (1936) or the Public Service Act, as amended
Republic Act No. 3846 (1963), or the Radio Control Law, as amended
Presidential Decree No. 576-A (1974) or Regulating the Ownership and Operation of Radio and Television Stations and for Other Purposes
Presidential Decree No. 930 (1976) or Simplifying Export Procedures and Documentations
Executive Order No. 1016 (1985) or Withdrawing the Inspection, Commodity and Export Clearance Requirements on Philippine Export
1987 Constitution, Article XII, Section 11 on congressional franchise grants
M.C. No. 10-7-93 on Domestic Satellite Communications Policy, as amended
Republic Act No. 7844 (1994) or the Export Development Act
Republic Act No. 7925 (“An Act to Promote and Govern the Development of Philippine Telecommunications and the Delivery of Public Telecommunications Services”)
Executive Order No. 467 (1998) or Providing for a National Policy on the Operation and Use of International Satellite Communications in the Country
M.C. No. 04-03-99 on International Satellite Communications
Republic Act No. 9516 (2008) or Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives, and Imposing Stiffer Penalties for Certain Violations thereof, and for other Relevant Purposes
Republic Act No. 10697 (2015) or An Act Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction by Managing the Trade in Strategic Goods, the Provisions of Related Services, and for Other Purposes
Republic Act No. 10692 (The PAGASA Modernization Act of 2015)
Republic Act No. 11363: An Act Establishing the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy and Creating the Philippine Space Agency, and for Other Purposes (Philippine Space Act)
Executive Order No. 127, Series of 2021 (“Expanding the Provision of Internet Services Through Inclusive Access to Satellite Services, Amending Executive Order No. 467 (S. 1998) For the Purpose”)
Republic Act No. 11494, “An Act Providing for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions and Providing to Accelerate the Recovery and Bolster the Resiliency of the Philippine Economy, Providing Funds Therefor, and for other Purposes”
Implementing Guidelines of Republic Act No. 11494
RA 10929, “An Act Establishing the Free Internet Access Program in Public Places in the Country”
Rules and Regulations to Implement RA 10929
Republic Act No. 10697, “An Act Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction by Managing the Trade in Strategic Goods, the Provision of Related Services, and for other Purposes”
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10697
Memorandum Order No. 50, s. 2020
Administrative Order No. 12, s. 2019
Administrative Order No. 16, s. 2011

Portugal

Decree-Law no. 16/2019, of 22 January, Legal regime of access to and exercise of space activities
Regulation no. 697/2019, of 5 September, regulation on access to and exercise of space activities
Statement of Rectification no. 936/2019 of 29 November (regarding the Regulation)

Republic of Korea

Space Development Promotion Act
Space Liability Act
Space Debris Mitigation Recommendations for the Development and Operation of Spacecraft

Russian Federation

Decree 5663-1 About Space Activity
Presidential Edict No. 185, About structure of management of space activity in Russian Federation (25 February 1992)
Russian Presidential Edict No 2005: “On the Organization of the Further Utilization of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Interests of the Russian Federation’s Space Activity
No 104 – Statute on Licensing Space Operations
Decree No 422, “On Measures to Fulfil the Russian Federal Space Program and International Space Agreements”
Resolution No. 468, Regulations of the Russian Space Agency
Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Technology Safeguards Associated with Cooperation in the Field of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes and in the Development and Operation of Space Rocket and Rocket Equipment

South Africa

Statutes of the Republic of South Africa – Trade and Industry No.84 of 1993, Space Affairs Act, 1993
Space Affairs Amendment Act,1995
No. 36 of 2008: South African National Space Agency Act, 2008.
No. 21 of 2007: Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007.
National Space Policy, 2008

Spain

ROYAL DECREE 278/1995, dated 24th February 1995, establishing in the Kingdom of Spain of the Registry foreseen in the Convention adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 2nd November 1974

Sweden

Act on Space Activities (1982:963)
Decree on Space Activities (1982:1069)

Tunisia

Decree n°84-1125 of 24 September 1984 (modified by decree n°931642 of 9 August 1993) on the creation of the National Commission of the Outer space
Law 88-83 of June 11 1988 forming a National Mapping and Remote Sensing Centre of Tunisia (CNCT)

Ukraine

Decree of the President of Ukraine on the establishment of the National Space Agency of Ukraine (29 February 1992, No. 117)
Law of Ukraine of 15 November 1996: Ordinance of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on Space Activity: Section I: General Provisions
Law of Ukraine of 15 November 1996: Ordinance of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on Space Activity: Section II: Organization of Space Activity
Law of Ukraine of 15 November 1996: Ordinance of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on Space Activity: Section III: General Requirements Imposed on Space Facilities
Law of Ukraine of 15 November 1996: Ordinance of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on Space Activity: Section IV & Section V
Law of Ukraine of 15 November 1996: Ordinance of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on Space Activity: Section VI & VII
Decree of the President of Ukraine on Regulations for the National Space Agency of Ukraine (22 July 1997, No. 665/97)
Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Technology Safeguards Associated with Cooperation in the Field of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes and in the Development and Operation of Space Rocket and Rocket Equipment

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Outer Space Act (United Kingdom, 1986)

United States of America

United States Code, Title 42 (The Public Health and Welfare), Chapter 26 (National Space Program)
15 USC Chapter 82, Land Remote Sensing Policy
35 USC Chapter 10, Sect. 105, Inventions in outer space
National Aeronautics and Space Act, (Pub. L. No. 85-568), as amended
Commercial Space Act, 1998
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14 (Aeronautics and Space)
Order, FCC 04-130 Mitigation of Orbital Debris
51 U.S. Code Title 51- National and Commercial Space Programs
U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness act (codified at 51 U.S. Code)
47 C.F.R. 25.160-162
47 C.F.R. Parts 5, 25, and 97
Title 47 of the U.S.C
SPD – 2 Streamlining Regulations on Commercial Use of Space
NASA-STD-8719.14B (Process for Limiting Orbital Debris)
U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
Licensing of Private Remote Sensing Space Systems – 15 CFR Part 960