Outer Space Act 1986

Other controls

7Register of space objects

(1)The Secretary of State shall maintain a register of space objects.

(2)There shall be entered in the register such particulars of such space objects as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to comply with the international obligations of the United Kingdom.

(3)Any person may inspect a copy of the register on payment of such fee as the Secretary of State may prescribe.

8Power to give directions

(1)If it appears to the Secretary of State that an activity is being carried on by a person to whom this Act applies—

(a)in contravention of section 3 (licensing requirement), or

(b)in contravention of the conditions of a licence,

he may give such directions to that person as appear to him necessary to secure compliance with the international obligations of the United Kingdom or with the conditions of the licence.

(2)He may, in particular, give such directions as appear to him necessary to secure the cessation of the activity or the disposal of any space object.

(3)Compliance with a direction may, without prejudice to other means of enforcement, be enforced on the application of the Secretary of State by injunction or, in Scotland, by interdict or by order under section 91 of the [1868 c. 100.] Court of Session Act 1868.

9Warrant authorising direct action

(1)If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing—

(a)that an activity is being carried on by a person to whom this Act applies in contravention of section 3 (licensing requirement) or in contravention of the conditions of a licence, and

(b)that a direction under section 8 has not been complied with, or a refusal to comply with such a direction is apprehended, or the case is one of urgency,

he may issue a warrant authorising a named person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State to do anything necessary to secure compliance with the international obligations of the United Kingdom or with the conditions of the licence.

(2)The warrant shall specify the action so authorised.

(3)The warrant may authorise entry onto specified premises at any reasonable hour and on production, if so required, of the warrant.

(4)The powers conferred by the warrant include power to use reasonable force, if necessary, and may be exercised by the named person together with other persons.

(5)A warrant remains in force for a period of one month from the date of its issue.

(6)In Scotland the reference in subsection (1) to a justice of the peace shall be construed as a reference to a justice of the peace or a sheriff and the reference to information shall be construed as a reference to evidence.

10Obligation to indemnify government against claims

(1)A person to whom this Act applies shall indemnify Her Majesty's government in the United Kingdom against any claims brought against the government in respect of damage or loss arising out of activities carried on by him to which this Act applies.

(2)This section does not apply—

(a)to a person acting as employee or agent of another; or

(b)to damage or loss resulting from anything done on the instructions of the Secretary of State.