The Air Navigation Order 2016

RocketsU.K.

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

96.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this article applies to—

(a)small rockets of which the total impulse of the motor or combination of motors exceeds 160 Newton-seconds; and

(b)large rockets.

(2) This article does not apply to—

(a)an activity to which the Outer Space Act 1986 M1 applies; F1...

[F2(aa)an activity to which the Space Industry Act 2018 applies; or]

(b)a military rocket.

(3) No person may launch a small rocket unless the conditions in paragraph (4), and any of the conditions in paragraphs [F3(5) and (6)] which are applicable, are satisfied.

(4) The first condition is that the person launching the rocket is satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

(a)the flight can be safely made; and

(b)the airspace within which the flight will take place is, and will throughout the flight remain, clear of any obstructions including any aircraft in flight.

(5) The second condition is that the person launching the rocket on a flight within controlled airspace has obtained the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit for aircraft flying in that airspace.

(6) The third condition is that the person launching the rocket on a flight within an aerodrome traffic zone of an aerodrome during its notified operating hours—

(a)has obtained the permission of the air traffic control unit at the aerodrome; or

(b)if there is no air traffic control unit, has obtained from the aerodrome flight information service unit at that aerodrome information to enable the flight within the zone to be conducted safely; or

(c)if there is no air traffic control unit and no aerodrome flight information service unit, has obtained information from the air/ground communications service unit at that aerodrome to enable the flight to be conducted safely;

F4(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) A flight by a large rocket must be carried out under and in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA to the person launching the rocket.

[F5(9) The CAA may only grant permission under paragraph (8) if satisfied that—

(a)the person launching the rocket—

(i)has provided a safety case which demonstrates that the risks to public safety and to property are as low as reasonably practicable; and

(ii)has in place adequate insurance arrangements in respect of those risks for each proposed launch; and

(b)the level of risk to public safety and to property is acceptable to the CAA.]

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