The Spaceflight Activities (Investigation of Spaceflight Accidents) Regulations 2021

CHAPTER 4 Accredited representatives, advisers and state experts

Accredited representatives and advisers

18.—(1) A state may appoint an accredited representative to participate in a safety investigation where—

(a) the state has been notified of the occurrence of a spaceflight accident in or over the United Kingdom under regulation 7(2), or

(b) the state has provided assistance to SAIA following a request under regulation 17(1).

(2) An accredited representative participating in a safety investigation may appoint an adviser to assist the representative to participate in the safety investigation.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), where the spaceflight accident occurs in or over the United Kingdom, an accredited representative has the right in a safety investigation to—

(a) visit the scene of the spaceflight accident,

(b) examine the wreckage,

(c) obtain information supplied by witnesses, and suggest lines of questioning,

(d) have full access to all evidence relevant to the investigation as soon as possible,

(e) receive copies of all documents relevant to the investigation and any other information gathered by the investigator-in-charge during the investigation,

(f) participate in any analysis or interpretation of data recorded on any media,

(g) participate in off-scene investigation activities such as component examinations, technical briefings, tests and simulations,

(h) participate in investigation progress meetings, including deliberations related to analysis, findings, causes and safety recommendations, and

(i) make submissions to the investigator-in-charge in respect of the various elements of the investigation.

(4) The participation of an accredited representative appointed under paragraph (1)(b)—

(a) may be limited to those areas of the investigation in relation to which assistance has been provided by the state, and the rights of the accredited representative under paragraph (3) are limited accordingly;

(b) are subject to any international obligations of the United Kingdom.

(5) The rights set out in paragraph (3) may also be exercised by an adviser assisting an accredited representative, but only so far as is necessary to enable the accredited representative concerned to participate effectively in the investigation.

State appointment of experts

19.—(1) A state which has an interest in a safety investigation because one or more of its citizens have died or suffered serious injuries in the spaceflight accident being investigated may appoint an expert to the safety investigation (a “state expert”).

(2) A state expert may—

(a) visit the site of the accident;

(b) have access to—

(i) factual information which may be published under regulation 30(8);

(ii) information on the progress of the safety investigation;

(iii) a copy of the final safety investigation report.

Participation in another state’s investigation

20.—(1) If the Chief Inspector receives notification from another state of the occurrence of a spaceflight accident, the Chief Inspector—

(a) may appoint an accredited representative to participate in the investigation on behalf of the United Kingdom, and

(b) must, as soon as possible, inform that state whether the United Kingdom intends to appoint an accredited representative.

(2) Where an accredited representative is appointed, the Chief Inspector—

(a) must send to the state which gave the notification the accredited representative’s—

(i) name and contact details, and

(ii) expected date of travel to the state if appropriate, and

(b) may appoint an adviser to assist the accredited representative in participating in the investigation.

(3) The accredited representative of SAIA may request permission from the relevant authorities in the state concerned to take any of the actions referred to in regulation 18(3).

(4) SAIA may provide assistance in an investigation in another state to safety investigation authorities from that state if requested.