South Africa’s draft space law would make it an offence to build a satellite without a licence from a new regulator, TechCentral reported. Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau published the bill in the Government Gazette on Friday.
The draft South African Space Industry Regulatory Bill lists nine activities that would need an authorisation. They include making a space object, using space applications, launches, operating satellites in orbit and running launch sites.
Anyone who carries out one of these activities without an authorisation would face a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. The bill does not set a maximum fine.
The bill would replace the Space Affairs Act of 1993, which covers far less. That law requires licences for launches, for running a launch facility and for some South African companies in space activities. Manufacturing is not on its list. It has the same 10-year maximum jail term, but it caps fines at R1-million.
The bill appeared a day after the department published remarks by its chief director of space affairs, Nomfuneko Majaja. She is named in the gazette notice as the contact for public comment.
Majaja spoke on a panel at the World Investment Forum in Doha, held from 25 to 27 October. She said developing countries need not start with the most expensive parts of the space economy.
“There are significant low-hanging fruit opportunities according to their development levels that can generate immediate economic and developmental value,” she said. She named Earth observation, geospatial applications, data analytics and digital services among them.
Majaja also pointed to component manufacturing. She said South Africa already has industrial and engineering skills that could be developed “to increase domestic participation in satellite and space-system value chains”.
TechCentral reported that the bill could reach those same industries. It defines a space object as “an object launched or intended to be launched into outer space”. It does not say whether making parts for one counts as manufacture.
The bill also does not define “space applications”. That leaves open whether firms that build services on satellite data would need an authorisation, the publication reported.
The rules would apply to South African citizens, permanent residents and companies. This includes activities carried out in other countries on their behalf.
Authorisation holders would need insurance equal to the value of the space object, as well as liability insurance. The 1993 act does not mention insurance.
The state would be liable for damage under a 1972 international convention on space objects. Operators would have to pay the state back for damage caused by objects launched from South African territory.
The bill would create the South African Space Regulatory Authority, with up to 14 members appointed by the minister. At least one member must come from the space industry. The current council must have two industry members under the 1993 act.
A new National Office for Outer Space Activities would do the daily work. It would act as the authority’s secretariat and keep the national space registry.
Appeals would still go to the minister, who may appoint an independent committee chaired by a retired judge to give advice. Decisions to suspend or revoke an authorisation could be taken on review to the high court.
The public has 60 days from Friday’s publication to comment, which runs until late December.
Source: this article is based on reporting by TechCentral. Image: TechCentral. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.