Insurance is a central part of making launch and spaceport operations financially credible, manageable and trusted. For spaceport operators, launch providers, payload actors and regulators, insurance requirements help translate operational and legal risks into workable financial safeguards.

Why it matters

Launch activities involve risks that may affect infrastructure, vehicles, payloads, personnel, third parties and surrounding environments. If insurance requirements are unclear, excessive or inconsistent across jurisdictions, they can delay launch campaigns, increase costs and create barriers for new entrants. A proportionate approach to insurance can support safety and responsibility while keeping European spaceports commercially attractive.

What AEAAS is looking at

AEAAS examines how insurance and risk modelling can support common regulatory practices for European spaceports. The project looks at risk coverage, financial guarantees, minimum insurance requirements, mission-specific risk profiles, ground infrastructure exposure, payload-related risks and the link between insurance, licensing and liability rules.

Key questions for stakeholders

• What types of insurance coverage are essential for spaceport and launch operations?
• Which insurance requirements are currently difficult to meet or unclear?
• Should insurance thresholds vary depending on mission profile, vehicle type, payload or operational risk?
• How should insurance requirements interact with licensing and liability rules?
• What kind of risk modelling would help regulators and industry actors assess requirements more consistently?

Stakeholder input

AEAAS invites stakeholders to share practical experience on insurance requirements, risk coverage, financial guarantees and mission-specific risk assessment. This input will help identify approaches that protect public and private interests while remaining proportionate and workable for European launch operations.