Rules aim to deter foreign interference in infrastructure tracking and controlling of spacecraft
Space minister Judith Collins has announced that measures to combat malicious activity as part of a new regulatory regime included in the Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill, will be available for operators of ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) by July.
Collins said in a news release that New Zealand’s new regulatory regime will seek to:
Under the new legislation, disregarding the regulatory regime’s requirements may merit an offence leading to sanctions such as the seizure of equipment, a $50,000 fine and/or up to a year’s imprisonment for an individual, and a fine up to $250,000 for an entity.
The regulatory regime will exclude widespread consumer products like satellite telephones, satellite television, or internet-receiving dishes, said the news release from the government. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will serve as the regime’s regulator, while the space minister will act as decision-maker.
The government shared that it will roll out the new regulatory regime in two stages, with the first stage of implementation taking place in July. Regulations will impose GBSI registration requirements, such as protective security and due diligence systems to be implemented by in-scope GBSI operators.
The government explained that there will be a transition period until 1 March 2026 to enable operators to put in place the systems they need for successful registration.
Collins said the regime is applicable to all in-scope operators in New Zealand, including those operating infrastructure established before the regime took effect.
Last year, Collins announced the government was taking steps seeking to support New Zealand’s interest in safely, securely, and responsibly using space and block foreign entities not sharing the country’s values or interests. She said that over the last five years, such foreign actors have deceptively tried to establish or use GBSI to harm New Zealand’s national security, misrepresented their intentions, and purposely concealed their affiliations to foreign militaries.
Collins noted the government has managed these risks via non-regulatory measures so far and has relied on the goodwill of GBSI operators. Collins stressed these measures are no longer enough.
