Artistic impression of the ClearSpace Servicer using an Orbit Fab payload to refuel a client satellite. Photo: ClearSpace and Orbit Fab

A new consortium in the United Kingdom made up of D-Orbit, Astroscale, and ClearSpace is working to improve regulations for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). The U.K. government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is funding the consortium about $865,000 (691,000 pounds) for a regulatory sandbox project. 

With this funding, the regulatory sandbox plans to test RPO missions, help the regulators understand these emerging technologies, and inform regulation for novel space activities. The consortium was announced on Dec. 23. The companies will work with regulators such as the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority, and U.K. government bodies to suggest improvements to the RPO licensing regime in order to incentivize economic growth in this area. 

D-Orbit’s U.K. legal counsel Lauren Payne described the regulatory sandbox as a way to bring together key stakeholders to address the challenges with regulating an innovative new technology. 

“We’re on the crest of seeing ISAM become a much-needed routine activity in space. A key factor to ensure we get there is a clear path to licensing ISAM [in-orbit servicing and manufacturing] missions. This welcome funding from the U.K. government will enable industry to engage with regulators to address current licensing challenges,” commented Nick Shave, managing director of Astroscale UK.