Space Industry Bill returns to the Lords
28 February 2018
The Space Industry Bill returned to the House of Lords on Tuesday 27 February for consideration of Commons amendments in 'ping pong'.
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the transcript in Lords Hansard
- Bills and legislation: Space Industry Bill
- Lords Library briefing: Space Industry Bill
- What is consideration of amendments/ping pong?
As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill it now awaits Royal Assent when the bill will become an Act of Parliament (law).
A date for Royal Assent is yet to be scheduled.
Lords third reading: Tuesday 28 November
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the transcript in Lords Hansard
- Bills and legislation: Space Industry Bill
- Lords Library briefing: Space Industry Bill
- What is third reading?
Members discussed secondary legislation, the location of a spaceport and the passage of the bill through the Lords.
Lords report stage: Tuesday 14 November
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Bills and legislation: Space Industry Bill
- Lords Library briefing: Space Industry Bill
- What is report stage?
Members discussed subjects including the impact of Brexit on the UK space industry, restrictions on certain areas of land for launches and landings, and the licensing and insurance of small satellites.
Lords committee stage day three: Monday 23 October
Members discussed scrutiny of regulations that may follow from the bill and who should be consulted on those regulations.
Lords committee stage day two: Wednesday 18 October
Members discussed subjects including the licensing and insurance of small satellites and consultation with devolved administrations regarding the location of potential spaceports.
Lords committee stage day one: Monday 16 October
Members discussed subjects including the potential impact of leaving the EU on the UK space industry, the economics of the space industry, and the duties of the space industry regulator.
Lords second reading: Thursday 13 July
Members discussed the key points raised by the bill, including the UK’s membership of the European Space Agency, the use of Scottish locations for proposed UK spaceports and the need for international funding and collaboration.
Members also raised a number of questions on issues including the private and foreign ownership of civilian spaceflight operations, the impact of Brexit, obligations for environmental assessments and the timetable, framework and safety regulations required for a globally competitive UK space industry.
Space Industry Bill summary
This bill will aim to:
- define the law around space activities and suborbital activities
- provide for the creation of a regulatory framework to enable commercial spaceflight from UK spaceports