Best Space Law Lawyers in Arlesheim

About Space Law Law in Arlesheim, Switzerland

Space law in Switzerland is primarily federal and international in nature, and it applies uniformly across the country, including in Arlesheim. Switzerland is a long-standing member of the European Space Agency and a party to the core United Nations space treaties, which shape how Swiss entities plan, launch, operate, and decommission satellites and other space activities. While Switzerland does not operate a domestic launch site, Swiss companies, universities, and organizations actively design payloads, procure launches abroad, run ground stations, and provide downstream services such as satellite communications, navigation, and earth observation analytics.

At the time of writing, Switzerland is working toward a dedicated national framework for space activities to complement its international obligations and existing sectoral laws. Until that framework is fully in force, operators rely on a combination of international treaty obligations, federal regulations on radio frequencies, export controls, procurement, data protection, and general corporate and liability law. In Arlesheim, additional local considerations include municipal and cantonal approvals for facilities such as antennas, laboratories, and data infrastructure needed to support space-related services.

For someone in Arlesheim, this means that most space law questions are handled through federal authorities and international rules, while site selection, construction, and operations of ground infrastructure will also involve Basel-Landschaft canton and the Arlesheim municipality.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Space projects span multiple legal domains, so targeted legal advice can prevent delays and costly missteps. You may need a lawyer when planning to procure a satellite launch, integrate a payload on a foreign mission, or register and protect your intellectual property for space hardware and software. Counsel can also help when negotiating complex contracts with launch providers, satellite operators, insurers, research institutions, or government customers.

Companies in Arlesheim often require regulatory support to obtain spectrum assignments for satellite communications, to file or use satellite network resources, and to comply with export control rules for dual-use technologies. If you build or operate a ground station, you will face land-use approvals, environmental and radiation exposure limits for antennas, and data protection obligations for collected or transmitted data. A lawyer can map these requirements, engage with the right authorities, and secure permits.

If something goes wrong, such as signal interference, delays or failures in launch or in-orbit operations, disputes over data rights, or damage claims connected to space objects, legal counsel can advise on liability exposure, insurance claims, and dispute resolution in Swiss courts or arbitration. Early legal input is also valuable if your project involves cross-border partnerships, sanctions and embargo screening, import and customs of space components, or hiring non-Swiss specialists who need work and residence authorizations.

Local Laws Overview

International treaties and cooperation shape Swiss space activities. Switzerland is a party to the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention. Switzerland is not a party to the Moon Agreement. These treaties set high-level rules on peaceful use, state responsibility, liability for damage caused by space objects, and registration of space objects.

Federal authorities play central roles. The Swiss Space Office within the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation coordinates national space policy and international cooperation. The Federal Office of Communications manages radio spectrum, satellite filings, and coordination under International Telecommunication Union procedures. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs administers export control rules applicable to dual-use items and technology, including many space components, software, and technical data. The Federal Office for Civil Aviation regulates airspace and authorizations for high-altitude balloons and near-space testing that may affect aviation safety.

Spectrum and equipment authorization are essential for satellites and ground stations. You will typically need frequency assignments and, where relevant, equipment approvals. If your business relies on satellite network filings, you will either coordinate through the Swiss administration or contract with foreign operators whose filings you use. Interference management, coordination obligations, and compliance with technical standards are central to lawful operation.

Export controls and sanctions compliance are critical for space hardware, software, encryption, sensors, and high-performance electronics. Licensing may be required for cross-border shipments or even for sharing controlled technical data with foreign partners or employees in Switzerland. Screening against embargoes and sanctions under Swiss law is also necessary for customers, suppliers, and destinations.

Data protection and cybersecurity obligations apply to earth observation data, user data for connectivity services, and any personal data processed in your operations. The revised Federal Act on Data Protection sets consent, transparency, security, and cross-border transfer requirements. If you target customers in the European Union, you should also expect to address European data protection expectations in your contracts and compliance program.

Liability and insurance should be addressed early. Under international law, Switzerland may bear state liability as a launching state, and Swiss authorities can require operators to carry adequate insurance and accept indemnities in contracts. In the absence of a dedicated licensing statute that sets standard insurance levels across all activities, parties typically negotiate insurance and indemnity clauses with launch providers, satellite operators, and facility owners, and they align them with international and Swiss legal duties.

Ground infrastructure in Arlesheim requires local attention. Construction or modification of buildings and installation of antennas and dishes will typically require municipal building permits and cantonal approvals. Planning authorities will apply building codes, environmental standards, and the federal Ordinance on Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation where relevant to radio installations. Site selection should also consider zoning, historical preservation, and potential environmental impact assessments.

Commercial rules and public procurement may apply if you contract with Swiss public bodies or participate in European Space Agency programs. Ensure compliance with Swiss procurement law, agency-specific terms, and the European Space Agency general clauses and conditions that often govern research, development, and industrial contracts.

Corporate, tax, and labor rules are part of your compliance baseline. Choosing the right Swiss corporate form, managing cross-border tax and transfer pricing for international space projects, and obtaining work and residence permits for non-Swiss staff under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act are common tasks for Arlesheim businesses in the space sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What laws apply to a space startup based in Arlesheim

Your company will primarily follow Swiss federal law and international space treaties to which Switzerland is a party. You will also need to comply with municipal and cantonal rules for premises and antennas, and with sectoral rules such as spectrum management, export controls, and data protection. Contracts with launch providers, satellite operators, and research partners will add binding technical and liability requirements.

Does Switzerland have a single license for space activities

At the time of writing, Switzerland is developing a comprehensive framework for authorizing space activities. Until it is fully in force, authorizations are typically obtained through several procedures, such as spectrum licensing, equipment approvals, export licenses for dual-use items, and site permits for ground infrastructure. Your lawyer can assemble these into a coherent compliance roadmap for your project.

Who registers Swiss space objects with the United Nations

Switzerland is responsible for registering space objects for which it qualifies as a launching state. The competent federal authorities coordinate to maintain a national register and transmit required information to the United Nations. In practice, many Swiss entities fly payloads on foreign satellites, in which case the foreign state often acts as the launching state and handles registration.

How do we obtain frequencies for our satellite or ground station

You must work with the Federal Office of Communications to secure frequency assignments and any required authorizations. If you use an existing satellite operator or a foreign satellite filing, you will coordinate through that operator and ensure your earth station complies with assigned parameters. Early coordination is essential to avoid interference and delays.

What export control issues should we expect for space hardware

Many space components, software, sensors, encryption modules, and even technical data are controlled under Swiss dual-use rules. You may need licenses to export items, to re-export them after integration, or to share controlled know-how with foreign nationals. Screening for embargoes and sanctions is also required. Plan export compliance timelines into your project schedule.

Are there special rules for earth observation imagery and data

Switzerland does not have a standalone remote sensing statute, so you will rely on export controls, contract terms, and data protection law. High-resolution imagery, certain sensors, and geospatial analytics can be subject to export restrictions, and personal data or sensitive critical infrastructure information must be handled under Swiss data protection and security requirements.

Do we need insurance for launch and in-orbit operations

Yes, insurance is standard in the space industry. Even before a comprehensive licensing regime is finalized, launch providers and satellite operators require third-party liability coverage and property insurance for launch and in-orbit phases. Your coverage should align with contractual indemnities and with Switzerland's international liability obligations.

Can we launch high-altitude balloons or test vehicles from Switzerland

High-altitude balloon flights and other near-space tests that affect airspace typically require coordination and authorization from the Federal Office for Civil Aviation. Safety, air traffic integration, and notification requirements apply. Additional local permits may be needed for launch sites and recovery operations.

How are disputes in space contracts usually resolved in Switzerland

Space contracts often include arbitration clauses, frequently seated in Switzerland given its neutral and arbitration-friendly environment. Swiss courts are also competent where agreed or where jurisdiction arises under Swiss law. Choice of law and dispute resolution clauses should be negotiated carefully alongside technical and risk allocation provisions.

What local permits are needed in Arlesheim for a ground station

You will typically need a municipal building permit and cantonal approvals for construction and installation of antennas and dishes. Compliance with the federal Ordinance on Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation and environmental and zoning rules will be assessed. In parallel, you must obtain the necessary spectrum assignments and equipment authorizations at the federal level.

Additional Resources

Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation provides policy guidance and coordinates Switzerland's participation in international space activities.

Federal Office of Communications is the federal regulator for spectrum, equipment authorization, and satellite network filings under International Telecommunication Union processes.

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs Export Controls oversees licenses and compliance for dual-use goods, software, and technology relevant to space projects.

Federal Office for Civil Aviation handles authorizations and coordination for activities that affect airspace, including high-altitude balloon flights and certain test operations.

Arlesheim Municipality Building Department is the local authority for building permits, including antenna and ground station installations within the municipality.

Basel-Landschaft Canton Building and Environmental Protection Directorate guides cantonal approvals and environmental assessments that may apply to space-related infrastructure.

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property offers services and information on patents, trademarks, and designs for space technologies and software.

European Space Agency provides programs, contract frameworks, and standards that Swiss companies and research institutions can access through Swiss participation.

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is the custodian of international space treaties and the registration of space objects that states transmit.

Innosuisse and Switzerland Global Enterprise can support innovation, funding pathways, and internationalization strategies for Swiss space startups and SMEs.

Next Steps

Define your mission profile, including what you will build, where it will operate, who your partners are, and your expected timelines. This scoping will drive the regulatory path, contract strategy, and insurance needs.

Engage early with a lawyer who understands space, telecoms, export controls, and data protection. Ask for a compliance matrix that maps applicable permits, filings, and approvals, identifies responsible authorities, and sequences them against your project milestones.

Schedule preliminary discussions with the Federal Office of Communications on spectrum needs and with the municipality of Arlesheim for any ground infrastructure. Early technical coordination helps avoid interference and planning setbacks.

Implement an export control and sanctions screening process covering parts, software, data transfers, counterparties, and destinations. Build licensing lead times and document controls into your project plan.

Plan your insurance and liability strategy, aligning contractual indemnities with third-party liability coverage for launch and in-orbit phases, as well as property and business interruption where relevant.

Prepare documentation for data protection compliance, including data flow maps, cross-border transfer assessments, security measures, and transparency notices for any personal data your service processes.

If you will construct or modify facilities in Arlesheim, retain local architects or engineers familiar with building permits, radiation exposure limits for antennas, and environmental requirements in Basel-Landschaft.

Establish clear dispute resolution, governing law, and intellectual property clauses in all major contracts, and ensure technical and schedule risks are reflected in milestone, acceptance, and change management provisions.

Keep records of all correspondence with authorities, technical justifications, and compliance evidence. Well-organized documentation accelerates approvals and reduces legal risk.

If you are unsure where to begin, request an initial legal consultation focused on triaging your regulatory and contractual priorities and creating a step-by-step action plan tailored to your activities in Arlesheim and beyond.