Draft policy proposals for exempting defence-related activities from the Space Industry Act 2018: government response
Updated 27 November 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-policy-proposals-for-exempting-defence-related-activities-from-the-space-industry-act-2018/outcome/20d76ca0-2355-4e9b-838e-00d98c7fd57d
Executive summary
This summarises the responses to the recent public consultation on draft policy proposals for exempting defence-related activities from the Space Industry Act 2018.
A total of 4 responses were received. The government thanks all respondents for their contribution.
This document also includes our responses and decisions for future implementation after considering the contributions received.
Of the 4 responses, one was from a licensed UK spaceport.
Two of the responses were from members of the public, who disagreed with the proposals. Most of their comments focused on the conflicts in Israel and Yemen, and their views about trust of government, rather than specifically about the proposed exemptions.
The fourth response was assessed as entirely spam.
Having considered these views, we have decided to take forward all the proposals as consulted on. The exemption policy will be legislated for in a statutory instrument, which will come into effect early 2025, subject to Parliamentary timetables and approval.
Responses to the consultation and government response
Overview
A total of 4 responses were received in response to this consultation document. The following table provides a breakdown of those who responded.
| Stakeholder Group | Number of responses |
|---|---|
| Individuals | 3 |
| Organisations | 1 |
| Organisation types | Amount |
|---|---|
| Spaceports | 1 |
| Launch operators | 0 |
| Range control service providers | 0 |
| Military | 0 |
| Other government departments | 0 |
Question 1
Do you agree or disagree with the suggestions for the proposed policy exemption for allied forces and contractors or agents, personnel of a government department or ministry which has direct responsibility for an allied armed force and international treaty organisations from the licence requirements of the Space Industry Act 2018? If you disagree, please tell us why not?
Respondents
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Organisations
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 |
Summary of responses
Two of the respondents disagreed with all of the suggestions for exemptions, and one had no opinion. Of the 2 who disagreed, one individual’s comments focused on current conflicts in the Middle East and Yemen, and the other raised the act of withdrawing the winter payment to pensioners, both of which are outside the scope of the consultation.
The third response was assessed as spam.
The spaceport offered no opinion.
Government response
We will proceed with the policy proposals to exempt the organisations as consulted on from the licence requirements of the Space Industry Act 2018
Question 2
Do you agree or disagree with the objectives of the proposed licence exemption regulations? If you disagree, please tell us why not.
Individuals
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Organisations
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Summary of responses
Three of the respondents disagreed with the objectives of the proposed licence exemption regulations. One comment focused on current conflicts in the Middle East and Yemen, which are outside the scope of the consultation. Another comment suggested money was being sent overseas, but did not relate to the question, and is assessed as outside the scope of the consultation.
The third response was assessed as spam.
The spaceport offered no opinion.
Government response
We will proceed with the objectives of the proposed licence exemption regulations.
Question 3
Do you agree or disagree with our proposals on the types of activity that should or should not be exempt? If you disagree, please tell us why.
Individuals
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Organisations
| Total | Support | Oppose | No opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Summary of responses
One respondent disagreed with the proposals on the types of activity that should or should not be exempt. Their comments focused on current conflicts in the Middle East and Yemen, which are outside the scope of the consultation.
The second who agreed made no comment and the third respondent’s comments, marked as opposed, were assessed as spam.
The spaceport offered no opinion.
Government response
We will proceed with the policy proposals on the types of activities that should be exempt and not exempt.
Question 4
Do you have any other views on how the act should apply to military activities?
Respondents
There were 3 individual responses to the question and 1 response from an organisation, the identified spaceport.
Summary of responses
Two respondent’s comments were focused on other government policies, which are outside the scope of the consultation.
The third respondent was assessed as spam. The spaceport did not answer the question.
Government response
We will proceed with the policy proposals as consulted on.
Question 5
Any further comments?
Respondents
There were 3 responses from individuals to the question and 1 response from an organisation, the identified spaceport.
Summary of responses
The responses from 2 individuals focused areas outside the scope of the consultation, and the third was assessed as spam.
This was the only question that the spaceport responded to. They suggested allowing the exempt activities to take place from a licensed spaceport. Currently section 12(4) of the Space Industry Act 2018 only allows spaceport licence-holders to carry out spaceflight activities. This does not include performing exempted activities from their spaceport, or make their spaceport available for spaceflight activities by persons licensed to engage in the activities.
As such, a licensed spaceport is not able to make their spaceport available for activities exempt from licensing requirements under section 4(2) of the Space Industry Act 2018.
We accept the response and will explore the possibility of involving commercial spaceports in potential military activity going forward. This would require changes to the 2018 act and potentially the Space Industry Regulation 2021 to allow this. We are engaged in discussions with other government departments as a first step.
Government response
We will proceed with the policy proposals as consulted on.