Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (203) of 2025
- Issued Date: 27 Nov 2025
- Effective Date: 13 Dec 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 813
- Sector: Telecommunication, Technology and Space
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 55
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution regulates the authorization of space activities and other activities related to the space sector in the UAE. It establishes the criteria and procedures for obtaining authorizations from the UAE Space Agency to conduct a wide range of space-related activities, including launch, re-entry, space communications, space resource utilization, and space support flights. The Resolution aims to ensure the efficient and rational use of space resources, protect public safety and security, and uphold the UAE's international obligations in the space sector. It is a key piece of legislation governing the rapidly evolving space industry in the UAE. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 1-25)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution apply to "Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, in accordance with the provisions of Article (3) of the [Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of the Space Sector]" (Art. 2). The Resolution aims to regulate the authorization of a wide range of space-related activities, including launch, re-entry, space communications, space resource utilization, and space support flights. Its purpose is to ensure the efficient and rational use of space resources, protect public safety and security, and uphold the UAE's international obligations in the space sector. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution defines the following key terms:
- Decree by Law: Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of the Space Sector
- Compensation: A monetary sum payable by an Operator, an insurer, or any other guaranteeing entity, directly to an affected third party or to beneficiaries who have compensated a third party for damage
- Compensation Guarantee Instrument: A document submitted by an Authorization applicant or Authorized Operator evidencing its undertaking and financial capacity to satisfy liability compensation limits in the event of damage to third parties
- Sounding Rockets: Research rockets used to obtain information about the atmosphere at various altitudes
(Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The Resolution imposes the following key obligations: 1. Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector require an authorization from the UAE Space Agency (Art. 3). 2. Authorization applicants must demonstrate competence, experience, and administrative, financial, and technical capability to conduct the activities (Art. 6(1)(a)). 3. Applicants must provide a Compensation Guarantee Instrument covering liability for damage caused to third parties (Art. 6(1)(b)). 4. Applicants must obtain all required approvals from other government authorities, both within and outside the UAE (Art. 6(1)(c)). 5. Applicants must hold the commercial licenses required for conducting commercial activities within the UAE (Art. 6(1)(d)). 6. Authorized operators must submit information on their contracts with domestic or foreign companies and notify the Agency of any new material contracts (Art. 7). (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 3, 6-7)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The Resolution requires operators to obtain an authorization from the UAE Space Agency to conduct Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Art. 3(1)). The Agency assesses authorization applications based on criteria such as public health and safety, national security, environmental protection, and the applicant's competence and financial capacity (Art. 4). Authorized operators must also obtain all required approvals from other government authorities, both within and outside the UAE, where applicable (Art. 6(1)(c)). (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 3-6)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The legislation does not specify any explicit rights or protections provided under this Cabinet Resolution. The focus is on establishing the authorization requirements and procedures for conducting space-related activities in the UAE. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The UAE Space Agency is the primary authority responsible for enforcing the provisions of this Cabinet Resolution. The Agency is tasked with assessing and granting authorizations for space activities and other space-related activities (Art. 3-6), as well as monitoring compliance and taking enforcement actions such as suspending or revoking authorizations (Art. 19). The Resolution also empowers the Cabinet to amend the conditions for obtaining authorizations upon the proposal of the Agency's Board of Directors (Art. 6(2)). (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Art. 3-6, 19)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The legislation does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of this Cabinet Resolution. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution does not mention any specific fees, charges, or other financial provisions related to the authorization process or the conduct of space activities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The legislation does not provide any exemptions or exceptions from the authorization requirements set forth in this Cabinet Resolution. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The Resolution does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures for addressing disputes that may arise under this legislation. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The legislation does not mention any specific deadlines or time limits related to the authorization process or the conduct of space activities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Cabinet Resolution is related to the following UAE federal laws and regulations: - Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of the Space Sector - Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2023 Regarding the Reorganization of the UAE Space Agency - Federal Decree-Law No. (85) of 2000 Regarding the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, and the Two Agreements related such Activities - Cabinet Resolution No. (18) of 2023 Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution came into effect on 13 December 2025, as stated in the "Effective Date" section of the legislation details. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector, 2025, Legislation Details)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.