The Space Industry Regulations 2021

Space site security restricted area and controlled area U.K.

174.—(1) A licensee must make a proposal to the Secretary of State for an area at a space site to be designated by the Secretary of State—

(a) as a space site security restricted area (“the restricted area”), if the licensee intends to carry out the activities mentioned in paragraph (2) in that area, and

(b) as a controlled area if paragraph (3)(a) or (b) applies.

(2) The area proposed by the licensee must be designated by the Secretary of State as a restricted area for the purposes of—

(a) assembling and integration of launch vehicles or carrier aircraft,

(b) the mating of launch vehicles or carrier aircraft to their payloads, and

(c) mission management or range control services where such activities require restricted access.

(3) The restricted area must be designated as a controlled area by the Secretary of State where—

(a) US technology is being used in that area, and

(b) launch activities are taking place in that area.

(4) The licensee must ensure that—

(a) the restricted area or controlled area is clearly defined and that access to the area is controlled by a security operative or by electronic means as appropriate,

(b) access to the restricted area or controlled area is limited to individuals who have been authorised to be in the area,

(c) individuals seeking access to the restricted area or controlled area have valid identification as a condition of being admitted into the area,

(d) individuals, payloads, launch vehicles, supplies and vehicles entering the restricted area or controlled area are subjected to appropriate levels of screening so that prohibited articles (see regulation 176) do not enter the area, and

(e) individuals who have been granted access to the restricted area or controlled area display their identification at all times whilst in the area.

(5) Where it is not possible to screen a payload or a launch vehicle entering the restricted area or controlled area due to its density or sensitivity, the operator must ensure that it obtains a declaration from the individual seeking to bring the payload or launch vehicle into the area confirming that the payload or launch vehicle has been protected from unauthorised interference or tampering during manufacture and transportation.

(6) This regulation does not apply to access for the emergency services where they are responding to an emergency on the site.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 174 in force at 29.7.2021, see reg. 1(1)