Payload permits and launch licences

Payload permit

Payloads are objects that are carried, placed, or intended to be carried or placed in outer space. Permits are required for payloads launched from New Zealand and for New Zealand payloads that are launched overseas.

Download the payload permit application form:

Application for payload permit APP001

The application form explains the information you need to provide.

Anyone applying for this permit must meet the requirements in the Regulations, specifically those in Schedule 2 and Schedule 4.

Some requirements may be at least partially met with foreign authorisations.

In some circumstances, you may also need to provide additional information by completing the APP400 and APP800 forms, which are provided below.

We have published several guidance documents that you can see towards the end of this page. Guidance documents that may be relevant to payload permit applicants include those on orbital debris mitigation; payloads of a size less than 1U; liability, insurance, and indemnities; and active debris removal and on-orbit servicing missions.

We encourage payload permit applicants to comply with industry best practices for preserving uses of the night sky.

Launch licence

A launch vehicle is any vehicle which reaches or is intended to reach outer space, or which carries, supports, or is intended to carry or support the launch of a payload. Licences are required for launches that occur in New Zealand and for New Zealand launches that occur overseas.

Contact us to receive a copy of the launch licence application form.

The application form explains the information you need to provide. Anyone applying for this licence must meet requirements in the Regulations, specifically those in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 (links are below). Some requirements may be at least partially met with foreign authorisations.

In some circumstances, you may also need to provide additional information by completing the APP400 and APP800 forms, which are provided below.

We have published several guidance documents that you can see towards the end of this page. Guidance documents that may be relevant to launch licence applicants include those on safety cases; orbital debris mitigation; liability, insurance, and indemnities; and technical capability.

Facility licence

A launch facility is a fixed or mobile facility or place from which launch vehicles are intended to launch and which includes all other facilities necessary to launch a launch vehicle. Licences are only required for facilities in New Zealand; they are not required for New Zealand launch facilities abroad.

Contact us to receive a copy of the launch facility licence application form.

The application form explains the information you need to provide. Anyone applying for this licence must meet requirements in the Regulations, specifically those in Schedule 2 and Schedule 5 (links are below). Some requirements may be at least partially met with foreign authorisations.

In some circumstances, you may also need to provide additional information by completing the APP400 and APP800 forms, which are provided below.

We have published several guidance documents that you can see towards the end of this page. Guidance documents that may be relevant to facility licence applicants include those on safety cases liability, insurance, and indemnities, and technical capability.

APP400 and APP800 forms

In addition to providing information specified in the application forms, you may be required to fill out the APP400 or APP800 forms.

Guidance documents

Refer to the sections above to see which of the below guidance documents are relevant to your licence or permit of interest:

Regulation schedules

Application requirements for licences and permits are set out in the schedules to the Regulations. Schedule 2 describes requirements relevant for all licences and permits.
Schedule 2: information required for any licence or permit application(external link)— New Zealand Legislation

Other schedules describe requirements specific to each licence or permit type: 

Schedule 3 (launch licence)
Schedule 3: Information required for launch licence or overseas launch licence application(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Schedule 4 (payload permit)
Schedule 4: Information required for payload permit or overseas payload permit application(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Schedule 5 (facility licence)
Schedule 5: Information required for facility licence application(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Schedule 6 (HAV licence)
Schedule 6: Information required for high-altitude licence application(external link) — New Zealand Legislation