South Africa Drafts Law Criminalising Unlicensed Satellites
A draft space industry bill would make building a satellite without a licence a criminal offence, with fines, up to 10 years in prison, or both.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Space
Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau published a draft South African Space Industry Regulatory Bill in the Government Gazette on Friday, 30 October 2026. The draft lists the manufacture of a space object among nine activities requiring authorisation.
Why it matters
The draft would replace the Space Affairs Act of 1993, which caps fines for unlicensed activity at R1-million, by setting no maximum fine and creating a dedicated regulator. It would also require authorisation holders to carry insurance equivalent to the value of the space object.
The draft bill's fine provision contrasts with the 1993 act's R1-million cap, which the draft removes by setting no maximum fine. Whether the new penalties will be finalised as drafted has not been confirmed.
The players
Parks Tau
Parks Tau is South Africa's minister of trade, industry and competition, and he published the draft space bill.
NewSpace Systems
NewSpace Systems is a Somerset West company that opened Africa's largest space hardware factory in March 2026.
The details
The draft applies to South African citizens, permanent residents and companies, including activities carried out in other countries on their behalf. It would create the South African Space Regulatory Authority (Sasra), with up to 14 members, and the National Office for Outer Space Activities (Noosa) as its secretariat.
Timeline
30 October 2026: Draft bill published in the Government Gazette on a Friday, one day after the department published remarks by its chief director of space affairs.
March 2026: NewSpace Systems, a Somerset West firm, opened Africa's largest space hardware factory.
25 to 27 October 2026: Minister Parks Tau spoke at a World Investment Forum panel in Doha.
Big Picture
The draft is positioned as an update to the Space Affairs Act of 1993, which required licences for launches and for operating a launch facility. It extends licensing to nine activities, including manufacturing a space object and using space applications.
Anyone in South Africa building or operating a satellite, or contracting for one abroad, would need authorisation under the draft bill. Businesses would also face insurance requirements equal to the value of any space object they manufacture.
The takeaway
Companies planning satellite work in South Africa should review the draft's nine licensable activities and insurance rules now, while the bill remains open to change.
Further reading
For background on the country's launch rules, see Space coverage across South Africa.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechCentral.
