News
Publication of research presented during the conference: “50 years – the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Object - Balance and Prospects”
On December 9 th, 2022, the conference titled “50 years – the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Object - Balance and Prospects” was organized by the Department of International Aviation and Space Law, Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
After reviewing the published materials Prof. Dr. Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, Australia, special guest of the conference, said:
“It was a pleasure to participate in an excellent conference in late 2022 organised by the Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Liability Convention. There were so many interesting and important insights raised during the Conference by the international and Polish space law experts who participated. Several of the participants have published their observations in the latest volume of Studia Iuridica journal, which I highly recommend. This Conference was yet another example of the excellent and ground-breaking research undertaken by the Center, and I am honoured and delighted to cooperate and collaborate with its members on several important issues”
You can download the materials from:
https://studiaiuridica.pl/resources/html/articlesList?issueId=15749.
It is with deep sorrow that we learnt about the death of our Mentor and Friend, Prof. Dr. Piotr Wolanski. He passed away on August 31, 2023, at the age of 81.
He was friend of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Center, long-time chairman of the Space and Satellite Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, honorary chairman of the Space and Satellite Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, retired professor at the Warsaw University of Technology, professor at the Institute of Aviation - Łukasiewicz Research Network.
Professor Piotr Wolański was an outstanding scientist, a distinguished academic, author of more than 500 scientific publications, and a world-class specialist in the fields of combustion engine research, detonation, explosions, and astrophysics. He was investigating combustion problems and he created the school of fluid explosivity. He made contributed greatly to the development of Polish science and technology, especially in the field of space exploration. He was a co-organizer of the new course of study "Aviation and Space Science" at the Warsaw University of Technology. He founded the Student Astronautical Circle, which constructed the first Polish artificial satellite PW-Sat, launched on February 13, 2012.
Professor Wolański was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Cross of Merit, the Medal of the Commission of National Education and the Medal of the Warsaw University of Technology. Despite his positions, honors and recognition, he was always a kind, supportive and a helpful Man, one of the most distinguished members of the academic community, and an example for future generations of scientists.
Members of the Manfred Lachs Center for Space Law
Address by IISL on transferring the presidency of the Manfred Lachs Centre for Space Law at the occasion of the University of Warsaw held Conference on 50 Years of the Liability Convention, Warsaw, 9 December 2022
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) would like to congratulate the Department of International Aviation and Space Law in the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw, Prof. Katarzyna Myszona-Kostrzewa and Dr. Zuzanna Kulińska-Kępa, for holding the outstanding Conference on the anniversary of the Liability Convention. At the same time, IISL would like to take the opportunity of the transfer of presidency of the Manfred Lachs Centre for Space Law to the Department to acknowledge the exceptional importance of its name bearer, Judge Manfred Lachs, for the development of space law.
Prof. Manfred Lachs was a pioneer and strong supporter of space law throughout his time at the International Court of Justice, as member from 1967 to 1993 and as its President from 1973 to 1976. The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) is extremely honoured through Judge Lachs’ readiness to hold its Presidency from 1990 to 1993. Nobody has been more important for developing space law and for promoting the rule of law in outer space than him. IISL honours Judge Lachs through naming its global moot court competition after him. The IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, every year brings together hundreds of students on all continents. Its finals are judged since today by three Judges from the ICJ – a practice Judge Lachs has established, for which IISL is most grateful and the students competing are provided with a highlight of their academic life.
IISL is glad to see the continuously high esteem of Judge Lachs in Poland, which has built excellence both in the academic and the diplomatic field. This spans from Amb. Eugene Wyzmer to Amb. Andrzej Misztal, who have been most influential in shaping international space law through their highest diplomatic positions. Together with Judge Lachs, they are role models for Poland’s young generations of space lawyers. The Polish space law community’s participation in IISL and also ECSL is most welcome as it brings in exceptional talent and perspectives for the future of space law.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl
President
International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
Paris, 9 December 2022