Compliance
9 min readFebruary 7, 2025
Small Satellite Compliance: A Practical Guide
Complete guide to regulatory compliance for small satellites and CubeSats. Light regime and practical tips.
Small satellites must still comply with regulations. Here's your practical guide.
Light Regime Qualification
You may qualify if:
- Mass under 500 kg
- LEO operation (<2,000 km)
- Mission under 5 years
- No nuclear power sources
- Standard mission profile
Benefits
- Reduced documentation requirements
- Faster processing (45 vs 90 days)
- Lower insurance minimums
- Simplified debris assessment
Common Pitfalls
1. Underestimating lead time - Start 6-12 months early 2. Ignoring frequency coordination - Even amateur bands require it 3. Assuming rideshare solves everything - Your own authorization still needed 4. Neglecting end-of-life - Plan disposal from the start
Small satellites, professional compliance.
Small SatellitesCubeSatsLight Regime
V.i.S.d.P. (§ 18 Abs. 2 MStV): Caelex · Caelex, Am Maselakepark 37, 13587 Berlin, Deutschland · Kontakt: legal@caelex.eu
Next step
Run the structured assessment for a map of obligation clusters, or book a walkthrough. The result is a file to review with counsel — not a licence and not legal advice.