Alden Orrery – Regulatory Briefing – October 2024
Regulatory Briefing – October 2024
INTERNATIONAL
International spaceports seek collaboration
On 13 October 2024, eight spaceports in six countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance strategic collaboration.
The eight spaceports are: Hokkaido Spaceport (Japan); Pacific Spaceport Complex (US); SaxaVord Spaceport (UK); Space Centre Australia (Australia); Stargate Peru S.A.C (Peru); Sutherland Spaceport (UK); Swedish Space Corporation (Sweden); and Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (US).
The MoU outlines plans for the launch facilities to collaborate more effectively in addressing common issues and to work towards establishing international spaceport standards.
EUROPE
United Kingdom
UK and Canada announce satellite collaboration
On 10 October 2024, the UK Government announced that it will collaborate with Canada on the Redwing microsatellite space domain awareness (SDA) mission.
Scheduled to launch in 2027, Redwing will track objects in congested orbits with improved sensors and provide near real-time tasking in response to evolving space events.
Speaking on the collaboration, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s Space Research and Development Programme Manager, Dr Gemma Bagheri, said: “Space is increasingly congested, and it is vital that we keep pace with new and emerging threats. The collaboration with our Canadian partners will enable us to improve the characterisation of objects and maintain security in space to protect our mutual interests.”
UK and New Zealand sign blueprint for satellite removal and servicing missions
The UK and New Zealand space agencies signed a blueprint for satellite removal and servicing missions during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, held from 14-18 October 2024.
The blueprint focuses on the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very close together or making contact with one another. It is designed to support missions in the fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and satellite refuelling by providing a set of principles for allocating liability between different states involved in the various stages of these missions.
Speaking on the blueprint, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, Paul Bate, said: “As space leaders from across the world gather in Milan this week, we’re pleased to agree with our partners in New Zealand a world-first arrangement to help ease the way for future missions that can help keep space sustainable. We hope our work with New Zealand can act as a blueprint for other nations to follow and benefit from.”
UK to support NATO space capabilities
On 17 October 2024, the UK Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, signed a letter of intent that will see NATO allies work more closely on government and commercial space launch capabilities. Known as the STARLIFT programme, NATO will work with the UK, alongside allies and commercial partners, to create a network of space launch capabilities across the alliance.
The Defence Secretary also committed to a range of multinational long-term projects, from virtual training to drone procurement. Speaking on the signing, the Defence Secretary said: “By developing these cutting-edge technologies, we are setting up our Armed Forces for the battlefields of the future, and creating significant opportunities for British industry. Our Government’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable. Together with our partners, we will ensure the collective security of our citizens and strengthen our alliance for decades to come.”
Estonia
Estonia signs Artemis Accords
Estonia became the 45th state to sign the Artemis Accords on 13 October 2024. The Artemis Accords are a US-led initiative to establish a common vision for countries looking to participate in NASA’s 21st-century lunar exploration plans.
Erkki Keldo, Estonia’s Minister of Economy and Industry, said in a statement: “We are more than interested to share our knowledge with the global space community to make future collaboration in space exploration a success for humankind. I am sure that joining the Artemis Accords will open attractive opportunities to Estonian enterprises too, to share their valuable knowledge and competences.”
Italy
Axiom Space and Prada unveil design of Artemis spacesuit at International Astronautical Congress
Axiom Space unveiled the flight design of the Artemis spacesuit it is developing for NASA with the assistance of Prada during a briefing at the 75th Annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan on 16 October 2024. The suit will be used by NASA on lunar landing missions starting with Artemis 3. Speaking at the briefing, Russell Ralston, executive vice president of extravehicular activity at Axiom Space, said: “Today marks a significant step on the path towards returning humans to the surface of the Moon.”
Portugal
Portugal amends key space law
On 21 October 2024, ANACOM, the Portuguese Space Authority, introduced key updates to Regulation No. 697/2019 governing the System for Access to and Exercise of Space Activities. The updates seek to align the Regulation with the Decree-Law on Space Activities (DLAE) (amended in February 2024 by Decree-Law 20/2024) .
The primary changes aim to streamline the licensing process and enhance accessibility for applicants. These changes include condensed technical, economic and financial criteria required for space operations licences; updated risk determination criteria; the clarification of licence duration; and enhanced coordination with the DLAE. A dedicated chapter on launch centre operations has also been added to facilitate access by applicants and operators of launch centers to licensing regimes.
To address the complexity and evolving nature of space activities, the regulation also now incorporates a shorter review cycle, enabling the framework to quickly adapt to technological and market developments.
Together, these amendments seek to make Portugal an even more attractive country for space sector operators.
NORTH AMERICA
United States
US Announces Rules to Modernise Space-Related Export Controls
The US Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) have published new rules to modernise space-related export controls. Key proposed changes include:
- 89 Fed. Reg. 84482: This proposed rule suggests revisions to US Munitions List (USML) Categories IV and XV and related International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) sections to clarify regulations, add necessary items and remove outdated ones. DDTC also proposes new licensing exemptions to promote US industrial base participation in civil space activities aligned with national security and foreign policy goals. These include an Official Space Agency Exemption, a Space Activity Exemption, a Space Tourism and Research Exemption, and a Special Licensing Provision for Defense Articles Incorporated into Spacecraft Subject to the US Export Administration Regulations (US EAR).
- 89 Fed. Reg. 84482 & 84784: This proposed rule outlines changes to controls for spacecraft in line with the ITAR revisions related to USML Categories IV and XV, along with a new licence exception for certain Commercial Space Activities (CSA).
- 89 Fed. Reg. 84766: This final rule amends EAR Part 742 and 774 by removing export controls for certain spacecraft and related items to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
- 89 Fed. Reg. 84770: This interim final rule reduces licensing requirements for less sensitive items to enhance collaboration with certain countries.
LATIN AMERICA
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic signs Artemis Accords
The Dominican Republic became the 44th nation to sign the Artemis Accords on 4 October 2024.
Signed by Sonia Guzmán, the ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the US, Guzmán said: “This marks a historic step in our commitment to international collaboration in space exploration. This is not just a scientific or technological milestone – it represents a future where the Dominican Republic contributes to the shared goals of peace, sustainability, and innovation beyond our planet.”
MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates
UAE Cabinet approves Supreme Space Council
The Cabinet of the UAE approved the formation of the Supreme Space Council on 7 October 2024. Reporting directly to the Cabinet, the council will be chaired by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence.
Key responsibilities of the council, as defined by the resolutions, include approving public policies for regulating the space sector, setting national priorities, identifying essential technologies for technological independence, and determining investment and acquisition priorities for public and private space activities. The council will also be responsible for approving plans focused on space security, and will review and approve legislation, policies, strategies and national programmes related to the space sector in coordination with the appropriate authorities.
ASIA
China
China unveils space science road map
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration (CNSA), and the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) jointly announced the National Space Science Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan (2024–2050) at a press conference on 15 October 2024.
The plan outlines five major scientific themes and 17 priority development directions. Goals include implementing national space science missions, strengthening basic research, building a high-level talent pool for space science, and achieving breakthrough results at the global level.
These missions include launching a crewed lunar mission by 2030, the launch of the International Lunar Research Station, and notably a mission focused on achieving a Venus atmospheric sample return.
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