The two instruments of ESA's space telescope Euclid have taken their first test images. The first images indicate that the space telescope will achieve the scientific goals for which it was designed - and possibly much more. Euclid will create a 3D map of a third of the sky, allowing scientists to study…

The first full-colour images of the cosmos from ESA's space telescope Euclid were presented today. Never before has a telescope been able to take such crystal-clear astronomical images of such a large part of the sky and so far into the deep universe. The five images illustrate Euclid's full potential;…

The European Space Agency (ESA) introduces the members of the European Center for Space Law (ECSL) on its website through interviews with its members. One of those members is Tanja Masson-Zwaan.

Global warming, deforestation, nature conservation. All major environmental challenges that call for major measures. To see what the effects of these measures are, observation data from the Earth is used. Researchers at LIACS receive €90,000 from the European Space Agency (ESA). With this they are investigating…

The Leiden University Real Estate Directorate is responsible for regular building and renovation projects. In addition, the Directorate manages vacant University buildings.

The European Commission has selected a consortium of major European launcher and satellite manufacturers, operators and service providers, as well as policy and legal research centres and institutes to study and provide guidelines and recommendations on Space Traffic Management (STM). The IIASL of Leiden…

A European team of astronomers has discovered the largest stellar black hole in the Milky Way. It is more than thirty times as massive as our sun and is located in the constellation of Aquila, about two thousand light-years from Earth. The astronomers stumbled upon the black hole by chance while preparing…

PhD defence

PhD defence

Lecture, European Union Seminar

Lecture

When designing public spaces, noise is often a neglected issue. Architects and urban planners know little about it; noise experts see it mainly as a problem that should be solved simply by reducing the volume. University lecturer Andrea Giolai (LIAS), researcher Kevin Toksöz Fairbairn (ACPA) and Professor…

The 'deepest and sharpest' image of the Universe to date: the first photos from the new James Webb space telescope yesterday mesmerised astronomers and the public alike. Leiden Professor of Molecular Astrophysics, Ewine van Dishoeck, spoke to various media outlets about the first images, which include…

Henk Hoekstra and Alessandra Silvestri work on the astronomy and theoretical physics in the Euclid mission. These Dutch researchers are part of the mission.

In November 2020 former dean Rick Lawson, professor of European Human Rights Law, was elected member of the Management Board of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna. He was nominated by the Dutch Government following an open selection procedure.

Space travel has long since progressed from being just about rockets, travelling to the moon, and Russia and America. The Netherlands has its own Space Agency and one of its important tasks is collecting and making available increasingly advanced satellite data.

On 28 June, a group of 35 students (13 from Leiden) visited the law faculty as part of the Space Summer School, a 5-day course organised by the LDE Centre 'Space for Science and Society' and NL Space Campus.

Course, Summer School

Russia recently blew up a defect satellite. As a result, the amount of space debris in Earth orbit has increased.

Satellites belonging to American space company SpaceX recently came very close to a Chinese space station. Experts are calling for traffic management rules in space.

During a working visit to a company that cleans up space debris, the British Prince Charles suggested that a climate agreement specifically for space might be a good idea. Experts, including Leiden Law School’s Tanja Masson-Zwaan, say the idea is wishful thinking.

On Friday 12 November 2021, the Net Zero Space initiative was launched at the Paris Peace Forum. The International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL) of Leiden University is one of the first supporters to the initiative.

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

Although everybody always refers to Europe and the European Commission (EC) as if it is one funding agency, there are many Executive Agencies which execute different programmes for the Directorate Generals (DG) of the EC, the equivalent of ministries. This page will help you get access to the right…

The first fine for space debris has been issued. An American company that had failed to clean up its space junk has been fined $150.000.

The alignment of the James Webb Space Telescope is complete. The space observatory is able to capture sharp, well-directed images with each of its four powerful scientific instruments on board. The MIRI instrument, on which Professor of Molecular Astrophysics Ewine van Dishoeck also worked, was the…

Space is of enormous strategic value. Having rules in space therefore is to everyone’s advantage.

Various countries are planning new missions to the Moon. Not just for prestige and science, but also to extract raw materials.

For the first time, astronomers have observed in three dimensions that gas from spiral galaxies is blown upwards and downwards at high speed, far out of the galaxy. They thereby confirm the theory of galaxy evolution: that star-forming galaxies create intergalactic gas flows by discharging gas along…

A new report reveals five actions that leaders can take to contribute to economic development, advance global security and sustainability, and make space a safe and globally accessible domain.

Leiden Law School’s International Institute of Air and Space Law visited key European aviation stakeholders in Brussels where IIASL staff and students were able to engage with those directly involved in ensuring that the EU aviation sector is safe, resilient and sustainable.

Workshop

The Leiden University team representing the International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL) won the World Finals of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition that took place in Paris on 20 September 2022.

ESA’s Euclid mission is to reveal the dark side of the Universe. But how? Professor of Observational cosmology Henk Hoekstra explains it in his interview with Space Team Europe and Horizon Magazine. He uses enlightening examples such as… a swimming pool! Listen to Henk Hoekstra to understand how Euclid…

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) that took place last week in Paris was extremely successful for IIASL.

Law