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In effectCabinet Resolution

General UAE Legal Questions LawCabinet Resolution No. (204) of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations

UAE Cabinet Resolution·Cabinet Resolution No. (204) of 2025

قرار مجلس الوزراء في شأن اللائحة التنظيمية الخاصة بالموارد الفضائية

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
November 27, 2025
Effective from
December 13, 2025
Articles
10
Last synced
Jul 13, 2026

Plain-language summary

  • Sets UAE rules for exploring, extracting, and using space resources like minerals from asteroids or the Moon.
  • Applies to companies and entities licensed in the UAE that conduct space resource activities.
  • Requires a permit from the UAE Space Agency before starting any space resource activity.
  • Permit holders must follow safety, environmental, and international treaty obligations.
  • Covers ownership, transport, storage, and commercial use of materials collected in space.
  • The Space Agency supervises compliance and may suspend or cancel permits for violations.

Establishes UAE regulations for exploring, extracting, and using space resources. Requires permits from the UAE Space Agency for all space resource activities a…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

10 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) Definitions The definitions set out in the aforementioned Federal Decree by Law No. (46) of 2023 shall apply to this resolution. Otherwise, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: Space Resource Activities : Activities related to the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of Space Resources, whether for commercial, scientific, or other purposes. Such activities include the extraction, recovery, refining, processing, utilization, acquisition, purchase, sale, trading, transportation, or storage of Space Resources, as well as logistics-related activities conducted in Outer Space, such as the transportation, storage, or supply of Space Resources.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations 2

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) Scope of Application The provisions of this resolution shall apply to Space Resource Activities conducted by Persons holding the nationality of the State; companies having their headquarters within the State; or foreign companies conducting their activities within the State.

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article (3) Obligations of Operators 1. Any Operator conducting Space Resource Activities, or the applicant for an Authorization to conduct such activities, shall meet the following conditions prior to commencing such activities: a. The Operator shall not undertake any activity within the scope of Space Resource Activities that would pose a risk to, or threaten, the State's ability to comply with any international legal obligations. b. The Agency shall be provided with all required information, including technical information and risk assessments, as requested by the Agency. c. Submit evidence demonstrating that the Operator has taken all necessary measures to prevent or mitigate the following: 1. Risks threatening the safety of Persons or property; 2. Damage that may be caused to Persons or property; 3. Harmful effects on the environment of the Earth; 4. Harmful contamination of Outer Space, including celestial bodies; 5. The generation of Space Debris; and 6. Harmful interference with ongoing Space Activities, including other Space Resource Activities. 2. Upon receipt of the Authorization and commencement of Space Resource Activities, the Operator shall keep the Agency regularly informed of the latest updates on the progress of such activities and shall comply with all instructions issued by the Agency in the event

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations 3 of an emergency or where there is a likelihood of material risks arising from Space Resource Activities. 3. The Agency may request any additional information or assessments deemed necessary, including financial and technical assessments, prior to granting the Authorization. 4. The Operator or the applicant, as the case may be, shall comply with all applicable regulations issued by the Cabinet and the Agency.

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) Considerations for Granting the Authorization Prior to granting the Authorization, the Agency shall take into consideration the following: 1. The international legal obligations binding upon the State, and any other international requirements approved by the State; 2. Potential harmful effects on the environment of the Earth or harmful contamination of Outer Space, including celestial bodies, taking into account the international guidelines, policies, and other regulatory frameworks relating to planetary protection; 3. The rights of other countries relating to access to all space stations, facilities, equipment, and space vehicles on the surface of the Moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with the international obligations of the State, while taking into consideration operational safety, the avoidance of interference with operations, and the protection of intellectual property rights and sensitive commercial data; 4. The obligation of the State to consult with any affected country where it has a reason to believe that Space Resource Activities may cause harmful interference with the activities of another country in Outer Space, including activities of that country that may fall within the definition of Space Resource Activities; 5. The exchange of scientific information resulting from Space Resource Activities with the international scientific community, to the greatest extent possible and practicable, on a good faith basis, and in accordance with the legislation in force in the State; and 6. Any other considerations the Agency deems relevant, including the extent to which any priority rights over Space Resources may exist.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations 4

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) Space Resources Database 1. The Agency shall maintain, in a special national database, information regarding the purposes, locations, and duration of Space Resource Activities authorized by the Agency. Based on such data, the Agency shall have the authority to determine priority rights at the national level. 2. The Agency shall maintain a national database dedicated to the results of Space Resource Activities, based on information submitted by the Operator pursuant to Article (3) of this resolution. The Agency may share such data in accordance with the legislation in force in the State.

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Property Rights over Space Resources 1. Without prejudice to the international obligations binding on the State, Space Resources may be explored, exploited, or utilized through the conduct of Space Resource Activities. The Operator shall be entitled to exercise property rights recognized under the legislation in force in the State over any Space Resources explored, exploited, or utilized by the Operator through its Space Resource Activities, as authorized by the Agency. 2. Such property rights shall include, in particular, the right to own, purchase, sell, trade, transport, store, use, or dispose of Space Resources extracted in the context of authorized Space Resource Activities, and any space activities aimed at providing logistical services in this regard, in accordance with the Decree by Law, this Resolution, and all other regulations applicable within the Agency and any other legislation in force in the State.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) Mandatory Notification to the Agency 1. Operators shall immediately notify the Agency of the following: a. Any material changes to the mission plan or its characteristics;

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations 5 b. Any Accident or occurrence relating to the Operator or any other entities participating in the Space Resource Activities, including any subcontractors; c. Any Damage, or risk of Damage, that may be caused to persons or property; d. Any harmful effects on, or potential harmful effects, on the environment of the Earth; e. Any harmful contamination or potentially harmful contamination of Outer Space, including celestial bodies; f. Any generation of Space Debris, or the risk of its formation, resulting from the Operator's authorized activity; g. Any safety measures within the area associated with the authorized Space Resource Activities; and h. Any unintended interference with or Damage to a Space Object of another country, or any unintended interference with or Damage to sites of historical significance on the Moon or other celestial bodies. 2. The Operator shall submit an annual report on the progress made and the results of the Space Resource Activities. 3. Upon completion of the mission during which Space Resource Activities are conducted, the Operator shall notify the Agency of the termination of the authorized Space Resource Activities. The Operator shall also submit a report on the results of such activities, clarifying the condition of the area where the Space Resources Activities were conducted, including the existence of any Space Objects or parts thereof.

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) Executive Resolutions The Board of Directors shall issue the resolutions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this resolution.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations 6

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) Repeals Cabinet Resolution No. (19) of 2023 Regarding the Space Resources Regulations shall be repealed. Aany provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Resolution, shall also be repealed.

  10. 10

    Article 10

    Article (10) Publication and Entry into Force This resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from the day following the date of its publication. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prime Minister Issued by us: On: 6 Jumada al-Akhir 1447 A.H. Corresponding to: 27 November 2025 A.D.

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Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

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