ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the licensing regimes in the UK and US for on-orbit servicing spacecraft. First, prominent past and upcoming missions, which are used as case-studies, are introduced. Then the chapter examines the UK’s licensing regime, focusing on the four pillars and other key factors that the regulator considers in mission authorisation. It then turns to the US, describing the three regulatory regimes that commercial operators must be aware of and that may authorise various mission elements for OOS operations. Finally, the chapter closes by discussing probable future evolutions in OOS licensing regimes.
