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Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Licences and permits - Licence for launch of launch vehicle overseas

25: When overseas launch licence may be granted

You could also call this:

"When can you get a licence to launch something into space from another country?"

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

The Minister can give you an overseas launch licence if they think you can launch safely. They must be satisfied that you can manage risks to public safety and have a plan to reduce orbital debris. You must also meet New Zealand's international obligations and any other requirements.

The Minister can still say no to your licence application even if you meet all the requirements. This can happen if they do not think your launch is in New Zealand's national interest or if they do not think you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence, as explained in section 52. They can also consider if someone who will control your launch is a fit and proper person, as explained in section 52.

When thinking about the national interest, the Minister can consider benefits to New Zealand, risks to national security, and how to reduce those risks. They can also think about other important matters. Before giving you a licence, the Minister must talk to the security Ministers, as explained in section 55.

The Minister cannot give you a licence if a special certificate is issued, as explained in section 55, about your launch. This is an important step in the process of getting an overseas launch licence. You should be aware of these rules when applying for a licence.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6966463.

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24: Application for overseas launch licence, or

"Applying for a licence to launch a space vehicle from outside New Zealand"

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26: Conditions, indemnity, and insurance relating to overseas launch licence, or

"Rules for launching something into space from another country"

Part 2Licences and permits
Licence for launch of launch vehicle overseas

25When overseas launch licence may be granted

  1. The Minister may grant an overseas launch licence only if the Minister is satisfied that—

  2. the applicant is technically capable of conducting a safe launch; and
    1. the applicant has taken, and will continue to take, all reasonable steps to manage risks to public safety; and
      1. the applicant has an orbital debris mitigation plan that meets any prescribed requirements; and
        1. the proposed launch or launches under the licence are consistent with New Zealand’s international obligations; and
          1. the applicant and the proposed launch or launches under the licence meet any other prescribed requirements.

            1. The Minister may, despite being satisfied of all the matters in subsection (1), decline to grant an overseas launch licence if the Minister is not satisfied that—

            2. a proposed launch under the licence is in the national interest; or
              1. the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence (see section 52); or
                1. a person who is to have or is likely to have control over the exercise of the rights under the licence is a fit and proper person to have control over the exercise of rights under the licence (see section 52).

                  1. In considering the national interest for the purposes of subsection (2)(a), the Minister may have regard to—

                  2. economic or other benefits to New Zealand of the proposed launch:
                    1. any risks to national security, public safety, international relations, or other national interests:
                      1. the extent to which the risks can be mitigated by licence or permit conditions:
                        1. any other matters that the Minister considers relevant.

                          1. Before granting an overseas launch licence, the Minister must consult the security Ministers in accordance with section 55.

                          2. The Minister must not grant an overseas launch licence if a certificate is issued under section 55 in relation to the proposed launch or launches under the licence.