Commentary on provisions of the Act Regulation of spaceflight etc Section 1: Introduction
Subsection (1) provides for the regulation of space and sub-orbital activities. In addition, subsection (1)(c) provides for the regulation of any associated activities. Such associated activities include, but are not limited to activities involving spaceports, mission control centres, range control services and training. The Act applies to and will regulate such activities carried out in the UK, the term "carries out" being defined in subsection (2).
	Subsection (3) makes an amendment to the OSA so that activities carried out in the UK will cease to be regulated by that Act.
	The definitions of space activity and sub-orbital activity are set out within subsection (4). The definitions ensure that all types of sub-orbital and space activities are captured including both ground and air launch, as well as in-orbit activities. There will be diverse categories of activity and technologies captured by these definitions. Secondary legislation will differentiate the regulatory requirements according to what is appropriate and proportionate.
	The defined term "space activity" in subsection (4) mirrors the class of activities to which OSA applies as set out in section 1 of that Act. This is the same class of activities that is governed by the Space Treaties and so the definition of "space activity" incorporates the term "space object". The term "space object" in subsection (4) has the meaning given in section 13(1) OSA (section 69(1)). This states that a "space object" "includes the component parts of a space object, its launch vehicle and the component parts of that." This meaning is based on the definition contained in article 1 of the Liability Convention.1 A space object could therefore be a satellite or the spacecraft itself.
	The subsection (4) definition of "space activity" includes "any activity in outer space." "Outer space" has the same meaning as in section 13(1) OSA (Section 69), which states that "outer space" "includes the moon and other celestial bodies". This again follows wording used in the Space Treaty.2
	Subsection (5) defines a sub-orbital craft as being one that is capable of reaching the stratosphere.
	Taking these definitions together, both space activities and suborbital activities involve craft that are capable of operating above the stratosphere. The delineation between the two depends on whether an activity would be a "space activity" or not. The UN Space Treaties do not define or demarcate where outer space begins, but article II of the Liability Convention does require registration of a space object launched into the Earth’s orbit or beyond. Therefore, where the launch activity involves a space object that is intended to go into outer space and is capable of achieving an orbit of the Earth, this is a space activity. Operating a space object in outer space is also a space activity, as is any other activity in outer space.
	"Spaceflight activities" is a generic term that is used in the Act for both of these types of activities (subsection 6), since many of the provisions in the Act are common to both.