Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Licences and permits - Permit for launch of payload overseas

31: Overseas launch of payload requires overseas payload permit

You could also call this:

"Launching something into space from another country? You need a special permit first."

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

If you are a New Zealand national and you want to launch a payload from outside New Zealand, you need to follow some rules. You must get an overseas payload permit before you launch the payload, whether you are launching it from a facility outside New Zealand or from a vehicle that was launched from outside New Zealand. This permit is needed for the launch and for the payload to operate in outer space.

You cannot launch a payload or pay someone to launch it for you unless you have this permit. However, you can start making plans and sign a contract for the launch before you get the permit, as long as you have the permit when the launch actually happens.

You only need one overseas payload permit for each payload, even if more than one New Zealand national is involved in the launch.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6966470.

Topics:
Business > Industry rulesEnvironment and resources > Conservation
Previous

30: Minister may vary, revoke, or suspend overseas launch licence, or

"The Minister can change or cancel a special space launch permission from another country."

Next

32: Application for overseas payload permit, or

"Apply to launch or operate something in space from another country"

Part 2Licences and permits
Permit for launch of payload overseas

31Overseas launch of payload requires overseas payload permit

  1. This section applies to the launch of a payload from—

  2. a launch facility outside New Zealand; or
    1. a launch vehicle that was launched from a launch facility outside New Zealand or a vehicle in the air that was launched from outside New Zealand.

      1. A New Zealand national must not procure the launch of a payload unless the New Zealand national has an overseas payload permit for the launch of the payload and the operation of the payload in outer space.

      2. A New Zealand national must not launch a payload unless the New Zealand national, or a New Zealand national procuring the launch of the payload, has an overseas payload permit for the launch of the payload and the operation of the payload in outer space.

      3. Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) prevents a New Zealand national entering into a contract for the launch of a payload or taking any other step prior to the launch of a payload provided a New Zealand national has a payload permit for the launch of the payload at the time of the launch.

      4. Despite subsections (2) and (3), only 1 overseas payload permit is needed in respect of a payload.