We use necessary cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use optional cookies to understand how you use it, and to help us improve it.

For more information, please read our cookie policy.

UK Civil Aviation Authority

We would like to hear from you

The CAA is committed to improving how we deliver services, help us by completing a short survey about your experiences today

Range control

Information on how to apply for a range control operator licence.

Range control licences are granted under the Space Industry Act 2018 (SIA).

This licence allows a person or organisation to provide range control services in support of licensed spaceflight activities at a designated range.

A range is a zone or zones that are subject to restrictions, exclusions, or warnings. This is to make sure that they are clear of persons or things that might pose a hazard to spaceflight activities or be exposed to a hazard from the activity.

We want your application process to run as smoothly as possible. To support this, we are available to provide detailed advice and guidance, and we encourage you to speak to us before you submit a full application. Pre-application provides an opportunity for you to engage directly with the CAA in relation to your planned activity, and for us to help you understand the regulatory requirements that will need to be fulfilled.

We also encourage you to read the Guidance for range control licence applicants and licensees and Applying for a licence under the Space Industry Act 2018 publications before you apply.

A pre-application or a full application can be submitted through our Customer Portal.

There is no charge for a range control licence.

As part of your application, we assess your technical resources. You will need to provide evidence that you have:

  • identified the range control services to be covered by the licence
  • the right people, processes and equipment to provide the specified range control services
  • made appropriate arrangements for coordination with other licence holders or stakeholders

You will also need to provide a draft security programme and cyber security strategy with security/cyber risk assessments.

In addition to technical resources, we assess your application against five other legislative tests:

  • international obligations
  • national security
  • national interest
  • financial resources
  • fit and proper persons

Information on the details you will need to provide to enable us to assess your application against these tests is set out in the Regulator's Licensing Rules (CAP 2221).

You can find even more information on our guidance and resources page.

Once we receive your application, it will take at least 6 months to assess.

  • You will be assigned a regulatory specialist who will be your main point of contact through the assessment and be with you every step of the way.
  • We complete an initial screen of your application documents to make sure you have provided everything we need to carry out our assessment.
  • When we have all the documents, we need we will assess your application in detail. When we have further questions for you, our regulatory ‘clock’ will stop on the assessment until you provide the information required for us to continue.
  • Any licence we grant will include conditions with which you must comply. To show compliance, you may need to send us information for example, details of any tests or rehearsals you conduct. We may also choose to carry out inspections of your sites.

Your licence will not expire but can be revoked, varied or suspended by the CAA.

CAA SkyWise

Essential updates by email from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, including safety alerts, regulatory changes and operational guidance.

Stay up to date with Space developments. Subscribe to SkyWise for news, insights and event updates from the CAA Space Team.

Sign up now