Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

Licences and permits - Ground-based space infrastructure

49A: Requirement for authorisation to operate GBSI

You could also call this:

"Get approval to control space objects from the ground"

Illustration for Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017

You cannot operate ground-based space infrastructure to do certain activities unless you have a special authorisation. This authorisation is called a GBSI activity authorisation and it is needed for the operation of the GBSI for the activity. You need this authorisation to do things like communicate with a space object, track it, or control it.

When the law talks about a "regulated activity", it means things like communicating with a space object or identifying it. The law defines what a regulated activity is, and you can find more information about this in section 88(1)(13C). This does not include things you do at home, or as a hobby, or for astronomy, or in an emergency.

You do not need authorisation for some activities, like using a satellite dish or a GPS in your car, unless you are using it to control a space object. The law says what activities are regulated and what activities are not. You must follow the law when operating ground-based space infrastructure.

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This page was last updated on 4 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1461709.

Topics:

Business > Industry rulesGovernment and voting > Government departments

49: Minister may revoke, vary, or suspend high-altitude licence, or

"The Minister can change or cancel your high-altitude licence if you break rules or for safety reasons."

49B: Application for GBSI activity authorisation, or

"Apply to use ground-based space infrastructure for certain space activities"

Part 2Licences and permits
Ground-based space infrastructure

49ARequirement for authorisation to operate GBSI

A person must not operate ground-based space infrastructure to carry out a regulated activity unless the person has a GBSI activity authorisation for the operation of the GBSI for the activity.
In this Act, regulated activity, subject to any regulations made under section 88(1)(13C),—
means either of the following:
1. communicating with a space object including, without limitation, for the purpose of—
  1. tracking the space object; or
  2. telemetry; or
  3. controlling the space object:
2. identifying or surveilling a space object; but
does not include an activity consisting entirely of 1 or more of the following:
1. an activity of a personal, domestic, or household nature:
2. an activity carried out as a recreational pursuit or hobby:
3. an activity incidental to an undertaking if the undertaking does not otherwise relate to GBSI or a regulated activity (for example, use by a farm, school, or hotel of a satellite dish or satellite internet terminal):
4. an activity carried out for the purpose of astronomy:
5. an activity carried out by or on behalf of an emergency service (including the New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and hospital and health services):
6. using a publicly available system to calibrate a measuring instrument, or to access a safety, positioning, navigation, or timing service (for example, by means of a positioning device in a car or boat), unless the use of that system is for the purpose of, or for purposes that include,—
  1. controlling a space object; or
  2. supporting or enhancing the operation of a space object.

Notes

Section 49A: inserted, on 29 July 2025, by section 7 of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 38).