Polish Parliament Committees Approve Amendments to Space Activity Bill
The Polish Parliament has made significant progress on the Space Activity Bill, following revisions from two committees: the Economic and Development Committee and the National Defense Committee. These committees proposed several amendments aimed primarily at clarifying and consolidating the text of the bill.
Goals of the Space Activity Bill
Drafted by the Ministry of Development and Technology, the bill aims to create a solid legal framework for the advancement of Poland’s space sector. Key objectives include:
- Enhancing the competitiveness of the Polish space sector.
- Increasing Poland’s share in the European space industry.
- Developing satellite applications.
- Expanding capabilities in security and defense through space technologies.
- Building skilled human resources for the domestic space industry.
New Regulations and Processes
The proposed regulations will detail the processes for conducting space activities, including:
- Obtaining permissions for space activities.
- Grounds for refusal of said permissions.
- Modifications, suspensions, and revocations of permissions.
- Transfer of permissions to other entities.
Furthermore, the legislation introduces the operator’s liability for damages caused by space objects and establishes the National Registry of Space Objects (KROK). This registry will track all space objects launched into low Earth orbit and beyond.
Amendments for Expedited Processes
Among the amendments, one notable change reduces the processing time for applications concerning the launch of objects weighing less than one ton. The review period will be shortened from six months to two months for objects that fully burn up in the atmosphere during deorbiting.
Next Steps for the Bill
The next phase involves the bill being presented to the Sejm for a plenary session. If approved, the new regulations are expected to take effect 14 days after publication.
