Authorization

Authorisation is the core of the EU Space Act proposal (COM(2025) 335, not in force). As proposed, Union space operators — spacecraft operators, launch operators, launch site operators and ISOS providers (Art. 5(16)) — could not provide space services without an authorisation from a Member State (Art. 6(1)). Until adoption, authorisation follows national space law.

Light regime (Art. 10) Adapted conditions for research and education institutions and research missions (Art. 10(2)), for entities applying simplified risk management, i.e. small enterprises or research or education institutions (Art. 5(28), 10(3)), and an exemption from the environmental-footprint calculation (Art. 96(2)) for IOD/IOV missions of small-sized enterprises and research or education institutions (Art. 10(4)). The proposal sets no spacecraft mass, size or orbit thresholds.

Application (Art. 7)

• Technical file demonstrating compliance with Title IV, Chapters I to V, as applicable: safety and sustainability in space (Art. 58-74), resilience of space infrastructure (Art. 75-95), environmental sustainability (Art. 96-100), ISOS (Art. 101), orbital traffic rules (Art. 102-103) (Art. 7(2))

• The qualified technical bodies the applicant intends to use for the technical assessment (Art. 7(3))

• Environmental Footprint Declaration (Art. 96(4))

• Proof of URSO registration of any third-country space operator or international organisation whose services the operator intends to use; while that registration is pending, close coordination with it, the competent authority and the Agency (Art. 6(5))

• The proposal contains no insurance requirement for operators

Timeline The qualified technical body gives its opinion within 6 months of receiving the technical file (Art. 7(5)); the competent authority decides within 12 months of the application, suspended while requested information is missing (Art. 7(6)).

Recognition Other Member States recognise the authorisation as regards Title IV, Chapters I to V (Art. 6(2)); where the operator operates or launches from another Member State, that State's authority is also involved (Art. 6(3)).

Suspension and withdrawal Competent authorities may temporarily suspend an authorisation, in part or fully, or request a relevant administrative or judicial body to do so, until the operator has taken the actions needed to remedy the problems identified or to comply with all measures prescribed, and may withdraw it where the operator no longer fulfils the conditions under which it was issued or where national law requires withdrawal (Art. 30(6)(b)-(c)).