Overview

The Australian Space Agency’s Office of the Space Regulator (OSR) is consulting on updates to the Australian Flight Safety Code (FSC). The FSC underpins the nation’s space safety framework, established by the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 and subordinate rules.

We released the current version 3.0 of the FSC in 2019. Since then, the space sector and the OSR have gained substantial experience applying the FSC. This includes through:

  • sub-orbital and orbital launches

  • re-entries

  • payload deployments on foreign launches vehicles.

Foreign regulatory frameworks have also evolved rapidly over this time.

We consulted on improvements to the FSC in 2023, with 13 organisations giving feedback. Common feedback themes included:

  • clarifications of terminology or intent (38%)

  • improved flight safety guidance (23%)

  • improvements to the regulatory process (21%).

We did not publish an updated FSC at the time.

Proposed updates to the FSC

We plan on making 2 updates to the FSC over the next 12 months.

The first update, Version 4.0 includes updates based on insights and lessons learned over the past 6 years, including from the 2023 consultation:

  • enhancing clarity, with additional definitions or explanations of terminology

  • updating Flight Safety System standards, commensurate with global practice

  • adding launch and return collision avoidance requirements, reflecting existing industry practice

  • changes to the critical assets process and definition

  • typographical corrections or missing references.

Read the proposed changes in Flight Safety Code Version 4.0 [1.9MB DOCX] in track change. For the tracked changes to be visible, we recommend downloading the document and opening on your desktop application.

Version 4.1 aims to further improve the FSC, including but not limited to:

  • inclusion of aircraft and maritime risk standards

  • other matters raised during the version 4.0 consultation.

Information session

The Agency will hold an online public information session on the proposed version 4.0 at 3pm AEST on Monday 15 September. The session will include an opportunity for Q&A. The Agency encourages attendance prior to completing the written survey, below.

Register to attend

More information

Timeline

  • Opened
    open
    1 September 2025
  • Closes
    pending
    10 October 2025
Contact
Flight Safety, Office of the Space Regulator