ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by examining the sources of law that pertain to spaceports and their operations, and contrasts these with some basic air law concepts. It discusses the domestic laws that expressly address spaceports or launch sites in different jurisdictions, and safety requirements. Spaceport master planning is also discussed with reference to airport master planning. The space treaties are often considered the primary source of international law pertaining to spaceports, and always the source of law governing the space activities performed at these sites. However, the discussion of spaceport laws must also include the aviation treaties if some suborbital vehicles are classified as aircraft, flying internationally, and the launch sites are considered aerodromes or modified airports. Licensing and regulations regarding spaceports vary greatly between different countries. Australia requires a standard space license for the launch facility. The number of countries actually addressing spaceports, launch sites, or facilities in their national law has increased in the past decade.
