Five Polish satellites are scheduled to be launched in the coming days as part of the SpaceX Transporter-15 mission. Among others, the first Polish SAR satellite, three PIAST nanosatellites and the SatRev structure will be placed in orbit. The launch schedule has been revised several times – initially, the date was set for 11 November, then 19/20 November. The current date is 26 November. Such delays are typical for space missions, but they do not change the significance of the event, which sums up several years of intensive development of domestic orbital technologies.
The launch will take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and its Polish cargo represents the maturity and growing ambitions of the Polish space sector — both scientific institutions and private companies, which in recent years have built infrastructure, expertise and engineering facilities to a level that enables the implementation of full satellite missions.
SAR satellites from ICEYE – Polish radar facilities built on the basis of local industry
The most important element of the mission on the Polish side is ICEYE’s SAR radar satellite. Synthetic aperture radar provides weather- and light-independent imaging with a resolution of up to 25 centimetres. This technology is used by the most advanced reconnaissance systems in the world.
ICEYE is an example of a company whose Polish branch has become a significant production and engineering centre. Among other things, the following are being developed in Poland:
- satellite subsystems,
- component integration,
- ground segment and telecommunications infrastructure,
- software for processing radar images.
The programme of three SAR satellites (with the possibility of expanding to include further units), worth approximately PLN 860 million, is one of the most important projects for the development of Polish space capabilities. The first satellite was prepared in just a few months after the contract was signed — a rare pace in the space industry.
The PIAST constellation – nanosatellites on the HyperSat platform developed by Polish companies
The second pillar of Poland’s presence in the mission are three nanosatellites from the PIAST programme, based on the domestic HyperSat platform developed by Creotech Instruments. This platform is a modular satellite system that has been in development for years and can be used in many types of missions – military, research or commercial.
PIAST satellites are equipped with:
- optical sensor sets,
- laser instruments enabling mutual positioning,
- UHF/VHF communication systems,
- experimental solutions for stereoscopic and formation observation.
The entire project was developed as part of the SZAFIR programme, in which the Military University of Technology plays a key role. Both the orbital segment and the ground-based mission control centre were built and tested in Poland.
The result is a system that is not just a research tool, but a fully-fledged constellation that will enter into actual operational use after launch.
SatRev – the growing private space sector in Poland
The mission will also carry the PW6U nanosatellite built by SatRev. The company has been operating in Poland since 2016, building its own mission control centre, production facilities and receiving stations. According to the company’s announcement, the PW6U satellite will support projects related to:
- environmental monitoring,
- precision agriculture,
- infrastructure analysis,
- data services and satellite analytics.
SatRev is an example of how the Polish private sector is capable of carrying out full project cycles — from satellite construction to in-orbit operation — and gaining experience in international missions.
Ground segment – full control of the mission from Polish territory
An important part of the entire undertaking is the development of the ground segment, led mainly by the Military University of Technology and Creotech Instruments. Poland has:
- the WAT Satellite Mission Control Centre,
- communication and telemetry infrastructure,
- data reception systems,
- analytical and computing facilities.
This means that the vast majority of the technology chain — from mission control to data processing — is carried out in Poland, which strengthens the country’s operational independence.
Why is this launch also important for entrepreneurs?
Polish satellites in orbit are not only a scientific and technological achievement. They also open up new opportunities for companies operating in various industries, not necessarily directly related to space.
1. The growing market for satellite-based services
Radar and optical data obtained by SAR and PIAST satellites can be used in:
- infrastructure monitoring,
- environmental analysis,
- services for energy, transport and logistics,
- insurance and risk assessment,
- crisis management.
These are new opportunities for companies developing software, analytical systems and AI solutions.
2. Real opportunities for cooperation in supply chains
ICEYE, Creotech and SatRev are constantly looking for:
- subcontractors,
- specialised components,
- electronic and optical subsystems,
- technology and R&D services.
3. Development of a high-tech ecosystem
Satellite launches show that Poland is capable of creating:
- satellite platforms,
- on-board computers,
- power supply systems,
- sensors and optics,
- data processing software.
This means new opportunities for technology companies that have not previously been active in the space industry but have skills that are useful in its value chain.
4. Opportunity to commercialise dual-use technology
SAR and PIAST satellites are dual-use projects, which means that the technologies developed within their framework can be used by both the military and the private sector.
This creates opportunities for companies in industries such as:
- optics,
- photonics,
- electronics,
- automation,
- software and data science.
The planned launch of Polish satellites — including an advanced SAR satellite — is not just a technical event. It is a demonstration of the maturity and competence of the Polish space sector, which is already capable of carrying out full satellite missions, from design to in-orbit operations. ICEYE, Creotech Instruments, SatRev and the Military University of Technology are building infrastructure and technologies in Poland that, just a few years ago, were only within the reach of the world’s largest players.
This is a direction that strengthens the domestic industry, opens up new opportunities for cooperation for entrepreneurs and builds the foundation for long-term technological competence, which may become one of the pillars of an innovative economy in Poland.
