Space & Satellite

The Isle of Man Government has for a number of years been developing its participation in the International Space sector. This presently includes actively filing with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Geneva, via Ofcom in the United Kingdom, for select orbital positions and associated radio frequencies.

The Isle of Man offers many financial and regulatory advantages, some generic to any companies working from the Island and some specific advantages for space and satellite communications companies, for example the world’s first zero tax rate (0%) for companies working in the space sector.

The advantages of doing space business on the Isle of Man include:

• a pro-space government;
• an established professional infrastructure (which includes many of the world’s leading companies in finance and insurance);
• an established base of space, aerospace and high tech industries;
• zero tax on space and satellite business.
• access to orbital slots; and
• financial incentives and grant aid for businesses which create new jobs on the Island.

Paul Kerruish and Stephen Mann have both acted for a number of space sector clients and consequently, been involved in some often highly complex and high value transactions revolving around satalite group refinancing and IP protection.

In commitment to this sector, in 2010 Stephen Mann attended and completed the Executive Space Diploma at the International Space University in Strasbourg.