The Space Industry Regulations 2021

Medical obligations

72.—(1) The licensee must ensure that—

(a) all the crew of the launch vehicle, and remote pilots taking part in spaceflight activities, hold a valid medical certificate as required by regulation 73(1);

(b) none of the crew has suffered a decrease in fitness due to illness or injury since the date of issue of their medical certificate which might affect their ability to—

(i) withstand the physical and mental rigours of spaceflight;

(ii) perform safety-critical functions reliably during the spaceflight activities;

(iii) carry out any emergency procedures which may be required during the spaceflight activities, including the evacuation of the launch vehicle;

(c) no person takes part in spaceflight activities, either as a crew member or a spaceflight participant, if that person is not medically fit to fly;

(d) no person participates in the licensed activities if they are not fit to do so.

(2) The procedures established by the licensee to ensure that it satisfies its obligations under paragraph (1) may include—

(a) medical examinations and medical assessments by an approved aeromedical examiner,

(b) requirements for the crew and remote pilots who hold valid medical certificates to complete self-declarations of fitness, and

(c) requirements for individuals who do not perform a specified role to report to the licensee on any occasion when they are not fit to perform their duties.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), every crew member and remote pilot must submit to such a medical examination or medical assessment when required by the spaceflight operator to do so.

(4) The procedures referred to in paragraph (2) must be completed before—

(a) a crew member performs any duty on board a launch vehicle, and

(b) a remote pilot takes control of a launch vehicle.

(5) In this Chapter—

“approved aeromedical examiner” means an individual who—

(a)

is qualified and holds a valid licence to practise medicine from the General Medical Council,

(b)

has qualifications in aviation or space medicine, and

(c)

has been approved by the regulator for the purposes of carrying out medical assessments or medical examinations for the purposes of these Regulations;

“approved medical assessor” means an individual employed by the regulator who—

(a)

is qualified and holds a valid licence to practise medicine from the General Medical Council,

(b)

has qualifications in aviation or space medicine, and

(c)

has been authorised by the regulator for the purposes of regulations 73(5) and 74(5);

“medical assessment” means the conclusion on the medical fitness of an individual based on evaluation of that individual’s medical history, medical examinations and medical tests;

“medical examination” means a physical inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation or other means of investigation, especially for determining medical fitness or diagnosing disease.