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Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018
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C2024C00604 (C12)
14 October 2024
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Part 1—Introduction
Division 1—Preliminary provisions
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Objects of Act
4 Simplified outline of this Act
5 Act binds the Crown
6 External Territories
6A Extraterritorial operation
7 Application of Criminal Code
Division 2—Definitions
8 Definitions
9 Related party
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Part 3—Regulation of space activities and high power rockets
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Division 1A—Simplified outline of this Part
10 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 1—Offences and civil penalties
11 Launch facility licence required to operate a launch facility in Australia
12 Launch of space object from Australian launch facility, Australian aircraft or foreign aircraft in airspace over Australian territory
13 Launch of high power rocket from Australia
14 Launch of space object from outside Australia
15 Return of space object to Australia
15A Return of space object outside Australia
16 Commonwealth not bound
17 Activities of international space organisations
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Division 2—Launch facility licences
18 Granting a launch facility licence
19 Terms of launch facility licence
20 Standard launch facility licence conditions
21 Breaching a launch facility licence condition
22 Transfer of launch facility licence
23 Varying or revoking a launch facility licence
24 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of a launch facility licence
25 Procedure etc.
26 Suspending a launch facility licence
27 Basis on which launch facility licence is granted
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Division 3—Australian launch permits
28 Granting an Australian launch permit
29 Terms of Australian launch permit
30 Standard Australian launch permit conditions
31 Breaching an Australian launch permit condition
32 Transfer of Australian launch permit
33 Varying or revoking an Australian launch permit
34 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an Australian launch permit
35 Procedure etc.
36 Suspending an Australian launch permit
37 Basis on which Australian launch permit is granted
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Division 4—Australian high power rocket permits
38 Granting an Australian high power rocket permit
39 Terms of Australian high power rocket permit
40 Standard Australian high power rocket permit conditions
41 Breaching an Australian high power rocket permit condition
42 Transfer of Australian high power rocket permit
43 Varying or revoking an Australian high power rocket permit
44 Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an Australian high power rocket permit
45 Procedure etc.
46 Suspending an Australian high power rocket permit
46A Basis on which Australian high power rocket permit is granted
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Division 5—Overseas payload permits
46B Granting an overseas payload permit
46C Terms of overseas payload permit
46D Breaching an overseas payload permit condition
46E Transfer of overseas payload permit
46F Varying or revoking an overseas payload permit
46G Applying for the grant, variation or transfer of an overseas payload permit
46H Procedure etc.
46J Suspending an overseas payload permit
46K Basis on which overseas payload permit is granted
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Division 6—Return authorisations
46L Giving a return authorisation
46M Offence and civil penalty relating to returns
46N Breaching a return authorisation condition
46P Varying or revoking a return authorisation
46Q Applying for the giving or variation of a return authorisation
46R Procedure etc.
46S Suspending a return authorisation
46T Basis on which return authorisation is given
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Division 6A—Authorisation certificates
46U Authorisation certificates
46V Terms of authorisation certificate
46W Breaching an authorisation certificate condition
46X Varying or revoking an authorisation certificate
46Y Basis on which authorisation certificate is issued
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Division 7—Insurance/financial requirements
47 Satisfying the insurance/financial requirements
48 Insurance requirements
49 Additional insurance not precluded
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Division 8—Launch Safety Officer
50 Launch Safety Officer
51 Functions of Launch Safety Officer
52 Powers of Launch Safety Officer
53 Offence for contravening direction
55 Launch Safety Officer to comply with Minister’s instructions
56 Seizures in emergency situations
57 Launch Safety Officer may obtain assistance
58 Identity cards
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Division 9—Administration etc.
59 Fees
60 Request for information
61 Review of decisions
62 Notice of decisions
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Part 4—Liability for damage by space objects
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Division 1A—Simplified outline of this Part
62A Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 1—Scope of Part
63 Damage covered
64 Compensation for third party damage by space objects to be determined solely under this Part
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Division 2—Liability for third party damage
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Subdivision A—Rules for damage caused by launches and most returns
66 Scope of Subdivision
67 Damage on Earth or in the air
68 Damage to other space objects
69 Limit on amount of permit or certificate holder’s liability
Subdivision B—Rules for certain returns conducted by overseas nationals
70 Scope of Subdivision
71 Liability
Division 3—Procedure etc.
72 Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) have jurisdiction
73 Action for compensation
Division 4—Compensation claims by foreign countries
74 Responsible party’s liability to the Commonwealth
75 Claims Commission
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Part 4A—Liability for damage by high power rockets
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Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
75A Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 2—Scope of Part
75B Damage covered
75C Compensation for third party damage by high power rockets to be determined solely under this Part
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Division 3—Liability for third party damage
75D Damage on Earth or in the air
75E Limit on amount of permit holder’s liability
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Division 4—Procedure etc.
75F Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) have jurisdiction
75G Action for compensation
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Part 5—Register of Space Objects
75H Simplified outline of this Part
76 Minister to keep Register
77 Registration number
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Part 6—Civil penalties
80 Simplified outline of this Part
81 Civil penalty provisions
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Part 7—Investigation of accidents
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Division 1A—Simplified outline of this Part
83 Simplified outline of this Part
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Division 1—Scope of Part
84 Scope of Part
85 Meaning of accident
86 Meaning of incident
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Division 2—Investigations
87 Object of Division
88 Appointing an Investigator
89 Investigator to investigate accident or incident
90 Investigator may invite assistance
91 Investigator’s powers to gather information
92 Offences relating to section 91 requirements
93 Report of investigation
94 Custody of space object or high power rocket
95 Suspension of permit, authorisation or certificate after accident
96 Disclosure of safety records
97 Relationship with other powers
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Division 3—Accident site powers
98 Accident sites and accident site premises
99 Power of entry to accident site
100 Procedure before entry
101 Identity cards
102 Availability of assistance and use of force in entering accident site premises
103 Offence to enter or remain on accident site without permission
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Part 8—Miscellaneous
103A Simplified outline of this Part
104 Delegation
105 Operation of other laws
106 Immunity
107 Compensation—constitutional safety net
108 Severability: additional effect of Act
110 Rules
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
