Energy & Infrastructure

Space & Satellite

Specialist lawyers in air and space law.

Specialist space lawyers

The commercial space and satellite sector is growing rapidly as demand for space data and satellite-enabled communications increases and access to space and space data becomes more cost-effective. Our space lawyers provide expert guidance on air and space law, ensuring compliance with both national and international space law regulations.

With an ambitious national space strategy in place to more than double the UK’s share of the global space economy by 2030, the sector is set to grow exponentially. As space technology continues to advance, working with a knowledgeable space law firm is essential to navigate legal complexities effectively.

It has never been more vital to make sure you have the right space lawyers on board to get your project off the ground.

Foot Anstey’s business accelerator programme

Foot Anstey Enterprise is designed to support the growth of start-ups, SMEs and fast-growing enterprises across. Our Enterprise programme is specifically aimed at businesses establishing themselves and operating in and around the UK’s emerging space sector.

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Podcast episode: Becoming a launch nation – the UK takes its place in the global space arena

As part of our Thinking Global podcast series, Partner, John Catchpole joins Legal Director, Karl Bradford and Managing Associate, Lingxi Wang to explore the meteoric rise of the UK’s space and satellite sector and what this means for the sector internationally.

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Related services

Why choose Foot Anstey?

Our team of space law specialists are legal professionals who focus on the complex and evolving legal framework governing outer space activities. We provide expertise in international space law, national regulations, and commercial agreements related to satellite operations, space exploration, and liability for space debris.

Our space and satellite lawyers work with governments, private space companies, and international organisations to ensure compliance with space laws, address disputes, and navigate issues such as property rights, space tourism, and militarisation. We also collaborate closely with space agencies, private enterprises, and research institutions to address regulatory challenges in outer space activities.

Aerospace Cornwall

As legal experts in the IP field who are also embedded in the space and aerospace sectors, Foot Anstey’s space law team were commissioned by AeroSpace Cornwall to support a number of businesses with legal advice in relation to their ongoing intellectual property issues.

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Goonhilly Earth Station

With a multi-million pound investment to develop the world’s first commercial deep-space communications station, capable of tracking future missions to the Moon and Mars, Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd brought Foot Anstey space law procurement experts on board as a part of the team.

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Spaceport Cornwall

Spaceport Cornwall delivered the first launch of spacecraft from UK soil in 2022, working with Virgin Orbit. Working closely alongside Spaceport Cornwall’s other professional advisers, Foot Anstey’s space lawyers became key members of the mission team.

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Our people

Foot Anstey’s specialist space law team is embedded in the sector and at the forefront of the latest legal developments. Our space lawyers support businesses and organisations in the upstream and downstream sectors, across the UK and internationally.

Whether advising on satellite contracts, space technology agreements, or regulatory requirements for launching from UK spaceports, our expertise ensures clients stay ahead in the evolving landscape of air and space law.

Meet our team

John Catchpole

Partner

Developer | Energy & Infrastructure | Space & Satellite

01872243316

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Ian Stubbs

Partner

Head of Energy & Infrastructure | Projects, Infrastructure & Construction | Real Estate

01179154922

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Brian Hitchcock

Legal Director

Projects, Infrastructure & Construction | Real Estate

01392685366

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Karl Bradford

Principal Director

Corporate | Energy & Infrastructure | Private Equity

01179154671

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Kee Evans

Principal Director

Development Projects | Environmental Issues | Natural Capital

01174038946

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Jordan Thomas

Managing Associate

Corporate | Owner Managed Businesses

01179154650

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Rachel Griffith

Associate

Commercial, Tech & Data

01174038899

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Space Energy Initiative

Helping nations achieve Net Zero with Space-Based Solar Power and creating new commercial opportunities.

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Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Data and Space Industry Advisory Group

A dynamic group of business leaders and space industry experts whose mission is to enable the growth of the space and data clusters in Cornwall.

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Cornwall Space Cluster

Foot Anstey is embedded in the Cornwall Space Cluster and is increasingly supporting the development of space ecosystems across the UK, in line with the National Space Strategy.

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Featured in the West of England Space Strategy

Helping to grow the space sector with new technologies that address social and environmental challenges.

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South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster

The SWRDSC is the first pan-Defence and Security cluster in the UK.

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UK Space Capabilities Catalogue

A comprehensive source of information that outlines a number of organisations that work within the UK space ecosystem.

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Innovate UK/KTN Space Sector Landscape Map

Connecting the UK’s growing Space community with industrial collaborators, research-based expertise, investment opportunities and funders.

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‘Start Me Up’ – The UK's First Orbital Launch

In a mission enabled by the UK government, we are proud sponsors of ‘Start Me Up’, the historic first orbital spaceflight from UK soil.

International Academia

Members of the space law team are involved in the emerging field of space criminology, research members of an International Institute of Space Law working group, and have published on radiation risks for space tourists in the LSE Space Policy Journal.