A bold look into the future: Polish regulations on space activities
- Paper number
IAC-19,E3,IP,10,x50727
- Author
Mrs. Marta Kolibabska, Poland
- Year
2019
- Abstract
Poland is about to finish legislative procedures regarding Space activities bill. So far, this activity has not been subject to specific regulation in the Polish law. The urgent need to establish national legislation devoted precisely to space activities has appeared in conjunction with the rapid development of the Polish space sector. The aim of this presentation is to familiarize the IAC participants with the basic legal concepts contained in the above mentioned bill and the way they were formulated. Space matters are by nature horizontal, for this very reason, the proposed regulations have been developed in close collaboration not only with the public administration, but also with the space sector and the scientific environment. The opportunity to exchange views and opinions with international organizations specializing in space activities (i.e. The European Space Agency), as well as with colleagues from other States that have already established national legislation within this area, was also of great importance for the planned provisions. The bill makes reasonable use of existing experience of the Polish companies, research institutes and academia as well as other space faring States in order to establish a legal environment that meets the high expectations of the New Space era. The proposed regulations are designed to facilitate conducting space activity in a safe and secure manner, with respect to international law and national interests. The main principles of the Act derive from the provisions of international treaties on registration of space objects, authorization for space activities and supervision of this activity, as well as compensation for damage caused by space activities. The Act will apply to space activities carried out within the territory of the Republic of Poland or on board a vessel or aircraft registered in Poland. It will provide for the smooth process of authorization for space activities and clear conditions for this authorization. Particular attention has been paid to ensuring the operator’s technical expertise and financial capacity, the safety and security of the activity, supported by careful supervision. The Act will contain provisions on the State’s right to recourse towards operators in the event of damage caused by its space objects. The entry into force of the draft law will start the national registry of Polish space objects. It is assumed that the planned Act on space activities, along with other instruments, such as the national space program for 2019-2021, will successfully foster the Polish space sector.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)