NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Final Prelaunch Engine Firing Test

Autor foto: NASA

When Sky Falls: Falcon 9 over Poland and International Space Law Implications

When Sky Falls: Falcon 9 over Poland and International Space Law Implications

May 26, 2025

Author: dr Joanna Kulesza

When Sky Falls: Falcon 9 over Poland and International Space Law Implications

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Final Prelaunch Engine Firing Test

Autor foto: NASA

When Sky Falls: Falcon 9 over Poland and International Space Law Implications

Author: dr Joanna Kulesza

Published: May 26, 2025

 

The incident involving the Falcon 9 rocket, whose fragments fell on Polish territory in February 2025, has become a symbol of the new challenges associated with the exploration of low Earth orbit. Although no one was harmed, the event highlighted that the rapid development of satellite technologies brings not only benefits but also significant risks. In a world where outer space is becoming a battleground for global economic and technological competition, Poland too must take a stance and actively participate in shaping new rules for its governance.

The Falcon 9 Incident over Poland: A Symbol of New Challenges

During the night of February 18–19, 2025, an uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry occurred over Poland involving a four-ton stage of a Falcon 9 rocket belonging to the U.S. company Starlink. Debris from the rocket fell across various regions of the country, posing a threat to public safety. The Polish Space Agency (POLSA) confirmed the incident was due to a malfunction during a planned deorbiting operation. While there were no reported casualties or significant damage, the incident emphasized the growing risks associated with the increasing use of outer space for telecommunications services. It showed we are in urgent need for international regulations governing satellite traffic management and the use of orbital space.

“Space Gold Rush”: Poland in the Shadow of a Global Race

The February 2025 incident is but one among a series of events signalling transformative changes occurring in low Earth orbit (LEO). It symbolizes a global race for what has been dubbed the new “space gold”[i] – a contest rewarding those who show creativity and courage in exploring and exploiting  outer space. Although Poland is not among key players in this game, it must account for its consequences. The phenomenon now extends beyond countries directly engaged in the space race, affecting states over which satellite debris passes during re-entry.

A Game for Major Players: Local Governance of Space Infrastructure and Regulatory Gaps

The outer space arena is currently still dominated by the United States. Corporations such as SpaceX and Amazon, along with governmental institutions like the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), determine who may use outer space and how, particularly for the purpose of providing satellite internet connectivity. While these actors drive innovation, their activities remain relatively underregulated. On April 28, 2025, the FCC approved a series of satellite regulation reforms, including opening 600 MHz within the 37 GHz band to commercial access.[ii] These reforms aim to enhance spectrum sharing between geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) systems and to safeguard services using this spectrum from interference. The FCC also announced plans to revise outdated 1990s-era regulations, which, according to local experts, inhibit innovation among American firms.

China Enters Orbit: National Regulations and a New Space Race

China, for its part, has announced the establishment of a national Space Traffic Management (STM)[iii] system to restore order in an increasingly congested LEO. According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), up to 5,000 satellites will be manufactured annually in China by the end of 2025. In addition, the Commercial Space Innovation Alliance has been founded to integrate private sector capabilities with the state’s R&D infrastructure, thereby strengthening China’s international position in outer space exploration. The projected number of satellites in orbit by 2025 is approaching 100,000, presenting massive challenges related to traffic coordination and orbital space management.

Amazon Kuiper and SpaceX: A New Challenger Emerges

Another significant development in the race for space dominance is Amazon’s “Kuiper” project, launched in 2025 with the deployment of 27 initial satellites into LEO. As the number of competing satellites increases, so does the rivalry between SpaceX and Amazon. In this context, the UK-Indian project Eutelsat OneWeb is a noteworthy, though not dominant, player, as the European IRIS² system remains in its planning phase.

OneWeb, a joint venture involving the UK, India, and other international investors, aims to establish a global satellite network for broadband internet access, particularly targeting remote and underserved areas. Despite interest from developing countries, the initiative does not yet rival the dominant positions of SpaceX and Amazon.

In contrast, IRIS² was originally planned as a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy to build an independent satellite infrastructure.[iv] It aims to enhance communication security, privacy protection, and support Europe’s digital sovereignty and technological autonomy.[v] Although proposed in response to U.S. corporate dominance, the project faces substantial technical and financial challenges, delaying its progress. The EU is still negotiating the details of collaboration among member states and the private sector to implement this ambitious plan.

The European Space Agency (ESA) reported that over 2,500 new objects were launched into orbit in 2024, and this number may grow to nearly 50,000 by 2050. Current rules by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are unfortunately largely inadequate to address the face pace of technological development. Experts criticize outdated allocation principles (e.g., “first come, first served”), the absence of effective enforcement and preventative tools, and overly slow decision-making mechanisms.[vi]

Europe as a Team Player: A New Order for Space Governance

Faced with these increasing risks, Poland is actively engaged in international collaboration through the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union, supporting the development of new legal frameworks governing outer space. Poland recognizes the need for more sophisticated public-private cooperation models that would enable more effective monitoring and deorbiting of space objects. In this context, the upcoming WSIS+20 World Summit on the Information Society, to be held in Geneva from July 7–11, 2025, will be of particular significance. Organized by the ITU in cooperation with UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, the event will be a key moment in shaping the future of global cyberspace governance and digital infrastructure.

The role of civil society and academia in shaping international space governance is becoming increasingly significant, amid calls to recognize internet and space access as human rights rooted in inclusivity and sustainable development. There is no room for a “Wild West” approach in outer space, but rather management of the global digital infrastructure must be grounded in the principles underpinning multistakeholder approach to Internet governance. [vii]Initiatives promoting inclusive, multistakeholder governance of outer space are essential to ensure equitable access and to prevent the monopolization of this valuable resource by a handful of wealthy companies or states. These efforts extend beyond access to information, encompassing international dialogue on data security and the governance of telecommunications satellite networks.

Satellite Technologies and Sustainable Development Goals

Satellite technologies can significantly advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), [viii]particularly in areas such as connectivity, education, and international security. Satellites have the potential to revolutionize access to education, facilitate communication in remote regions, and support efforts to improve quality of life. When properly managed, outer space can be a cornerstone of sustainable development and international security.

In the face of an ever-growing threat posed by the increasing number of LEO satellites, establishing effective global regulations for outer space has become an urgent necessity. The future of managing this critical infrastructure — including satellite regulation and the safeguarding of international peace — will depend on international cooperation. The WSIS+20 summit in Geneva,[ix] organized by the United Nations in July 2025, will be a vital forum for debating the future shape of cyber and outer space infrastructure.

Strategic Recommendations for Poland

Given the increasing challenges associated with satellite traffic density and the Falcon 9 incident over Poland, the country must undertake a series of strategic measures to enhance the safety and efficiency of space infrastructure management. Poland should consider establishing a national space traffic management unit within the Polish Space Agency, tasked with monitoring satellite operations and responding rapidly to deorbiting-related threats. It is also essential to develop national legal frameworks aligned with international standards, particularly by initiating and supporting binding agreements on liability, operator transparency, and the reduction of space debris.

Strengthening public-private partnerships to stimulate the development of innovative technologies for object tracking, collision prevention, and safe satellite deorbiting—utilizing the potential of the Polish scientific and industrial sectors—is also essential. Poland should actively participate in international discussions and initiatives concerning space infrastructure regulation, such as the upcoming WSIS+20 Summit and the work of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), advocating for inclusive, multistakeholder governance of outer space to ensure equitable internet access and protection against monopolization.

Simultaneously, the integration of space policy with sustainable development objectives — especially regarding satellites’ roles in improving connectivity, education, environmental protection, and international security — should become a key element of the national strategy. These measures would allow Poland not only to respond more effectively to current challenges but also to play an active role in shaping the future principles of global space governance.

 

 

 

[i] https://www.bloomberg.com/explainers/starlink-how-elon-musk-s-satellites-are-fueling-new-space-race

[ii] https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-moves-to-loosen-satellite-power-limits-expand-shared-access-to-37-ghz-band/

[iii] https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/china-plans-space-traffic-system-for-managing-satellite-movements/story

[iv] https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space/iris2-secure-connectivity_en

[v] https://ec.europa.eu/assets/rtd/srip/2024/ec_rtd_srip-report-2024-chap-08.pdf

[vi] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308596124000284

[vii] https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351025386-9/multistakeholderism-meaning-implications-joanna-kulesza

[viii] https://sdgs.un.org/goals

[ix] https://www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl/lodz-cyber-hub-news-events/szczegoly-events/ssigil