united-kingdom regulations aviation space
Legality of liquid rocket engine testing
<p>Suppose a group of aeronautical engineering students are developing a liquid engine for a rocket.</p>
<p>What UK laws and regulatory authorities deal with the creation and subsequent testing of a liquid engine rocket?</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>The fuel:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.ukrocketman.com/rocketry/amateurmotor.shtml" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this source</a>, liquid fuel rockets are not covered by the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/38-39/17?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Explosives Act 1875</a> as the fuel and oxidising agent only meet at the point of combustion.</p>
<p>However, there may / will be handling, storage and use controls or restrictions depending on the quanity and type of ingredients used: oxidisers for example. Without knowing what these ingredients are it is impossible to give a definitive answer but <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hazardous-substances#Applying-for-hazardous-substances-consent" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this source</a> may be of use.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The testing:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>If the testing includes rocket flight, rather than a ground test (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_test_facility" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here for example</a>) then <a href="https://www.caa.co.uk/Consumers/Space/Rocket-permission-air-navigation-order/Rocket-notifications/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this page</a> from the Civil Aviation Authority's website provides guidance on the airspace notification aspects of a rocket event or activity.  Note that these CAA notification procedures depend whether the rocket is defined as &quot;Large&quot; or not (i.e. if the total impulse of the rocket motor (or combination of motors) is more than 10,240 Newton-Seconds as per <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/schedule/1?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Schedule 1 of the Air Navigation Order 2016</a></p>
<p>Regardless of whether it's flight or ground testing, a properly managed and implemented risk assessment is needed to ensure the health and safety of the students, members of the public, and private / public property. The <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/faqs.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Health and Safety Executive</a>'s website offers more detail on this as well the legal requirements and responsibilities of educational establishments.</p>
