What is changing, and when.
The laws, rules and policies that change space contracts and financings in the UK, the US and the EU: where each stands, the official documents, and the dates to diary. Official sources are checked on every site update, and new documents are flagged until the entry is re-read.
Randeep Bubbra | Lawyer | Making space financeable
United Kingdom · United States · European Union · Legal calendar
United Kingdom
Liability and insuranceAct in force; new limits from 1 December 2026UK space liability limitsThe Space Industry (Indemnities) Act 2025, in force since 18 February 2026, requires every operator licence under the Space Industry Act 2018 to specify a limit on the operator's liability to indemnify the government.Latest document 8 Sep 2026Investment screeningConsultation concluded; regulations pendingNational Security and Investment Act: sector reviewThe government has consulted on changes to the 17 sectors where acquisitions must be notified under the NSI Act, and published its response in March 2026.Latest document 14 Jul 2026
United States
SpectrumProposed rules, comments openFCC Space Modernization for the 21st CenturyThe FCC proposed in December 2025 to overhaul space and earth station licensing with a faster, tiered 'licensing assembly line', and published further proposals in October 2026.Latest document 26 Oct 2026Investment screeningProposed rule, comments openUS outbound investment rules (COINS Act)Treasury has proposed regulations implementing the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act, now Title VIII of the Defense Production Act, which would require US persons to notify, or in some cases not make, certain investments in foreign persons engaged in sensitive technologies.Latest document 26 Oct 2026Space licensingProposed rules, comments openFAA launch and reentry licensing (Part 450) streamliningFollowing Executive Order 14335 and the August 2026 National Space Transportation Policy, the FAA proposed a package of changes in October 2026 to reduce the burden of Part 450 launch and reentry licensing, from flight safety analysis to digital applications.Latest document 5 Oct 2026Export controlProposed rule, comments openITAR: review of the US Munitions ListThe State Department proposes to narrow the US Munitions List to the most sensitive technologies, update definitions and revise licence exemptions, alongside a series of final rules moving items off the USML in 2026.Latest document 1 Oct 2026Space licensingPilot programmeUS mission authorisation for novel space activitiesExecutive Order 14335 directed a streamlined mission authorisation framework for novel in-space activities such as servicing, manufacturing and private space stations.Latest document 20 Aug 2026Liability and insuranceIn force to 30 September 2028US government payment of excess launch claimsUnder 51 U.S.C.Latest document 23 Dec 2024
European Union
Policy and fundingIn force; being implementedIRIS²: EU secure connectivity programmeRegulation (EU) 2023/588 established the Union Secure Connectivity Programme (IRIS²), delivered through a concession with a private consortium.Latest document 9 Oct 2026Export controlIn force; Annex I updatedEU dual-use export controlsRegulation (EU) 2021/821 requires an authorisation to export listed dual-use items, including spacecraft and many defence components.Latest document 21 Sep 2026Investment screeningAdopted; applies from 17 January 2028New EU foreign investment screening regulationRegulation (EU) 2026/1386 replaces the 2019 screening regulation.Latest document 17 Jun 2026Space licensingProposed; under negotiationEU Space ActThe Commission's proposal for a regulation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities would require EU authorisation for space operators, registration for non-EU operators serving the EU, and common rules on collision avoidance, cybersecurity and environmental impact.Latest document 11 Dec 2025
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