{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1986/38",
  "title": "Outer Space Act 1986",
  "long_title": "An Act to confer licensing and other powers on the Secretary of State to secure compliance with the international obligations of the United Kingdom with respect to the launching and operation of space objects and the carrying on of other activities in outer space by persons connected with this country.",
  "citation": "1986 c. 38",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1986",
  "number": "38",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1986-07-18",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2021-07-29",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 1,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/application-of-act",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Application of Act",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Activities to which this Act applies.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/application-of-act"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Persons to whom this Act applies.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/application-of-act"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Licensing of activities",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Prohibition of unlicensed activities.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Grant of licence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-4",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4A",
      "heading": "Charges",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-4A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Terms of licence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Transfer, variation, suspension or termination of licence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-6",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6A",
      "heading": "Appeals",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-6A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-activities"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/other-controls",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Other controls",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Register of space objects.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-7",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/other-controls"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Power to give directions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-8",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/other-controls"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Warrant authorising direct action.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-9",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/other-controls"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Obligation to indemnify government against claims.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-10",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/other-controls"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/general",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "General",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Regulations.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Offences.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Minor definitions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Index of defined expressions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Short title, commencement and extent.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/outer-space-act-1986/section-15",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/general"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "omitted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 4(3)(d)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2018/5",
      "affecting_title": "Space Industry Act 2018",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 12 para. 9"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/38",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T17:21:50.288173+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}