The development of the Polish space sector

In recent years the Polish space sector has been experiencing dynamic development, although we still have a lot of catching up to do compared to more advanced countries. One of the most important events that drew the attention of the international public was the launching into orbit of the largest Polish satellite, EagleEye. The mission, supported by SpaceX, is proof of Poland’s growing technological capabilities in the field of observing  the Earth.

Increased involvement in the European Space Agency (ESA)

According to the Polish Economic Institute, Poland is systematically increasing its participation in the projects of the European Space Agency (ESA). Since 2015, as many as 199 Polish companies and research institutions have won 595 contracts with ESA, with a total value of EUR 270 million.

In August 2023, the Ministry of Development and Technology decided to increase Poland’s contribution to ESA by allocating an additional EUR 360 million for  the years 2023-2025. Of particular importance is the increase of the so-called optional contribution to EUR 200 million, which places Poland in eighth place among the countries with the highest contribution to ESA’s optional programmes. This increases the possibility of participation of Polish entities in more advanced and innovative projects, which translates into real benefits for the domestic space sector.

Investing in the future: the EagleEye and Camila projects

The EagleEye project is an example of successful cooperation between Polish companies and scientific institutions, showing that Poland is able to carry out complex space missions. The satellite is to provide high-resolution images of the Earth, which will be used for research purposes. This is the first such large project implemented by a Polish consortium and is an important step forward in the development of  Polish space technologies.

At the same time, the Camila program is being implemented, which includes the construction of Polish observation satellites as part of a bilateral program with ESA. This programme, worth EUR 85 million, not only develops Polish capabilities in the field of satellite construction, but also strengthens international cooperation and technology transfer.

Directions of development and challenges

Although the Polish space sector is making significant progress, it is still at an early stage of development. Poland acts as a supplier of technology and components, while the most advanced countries are integrators of space missions. In the future, in order for the Polish sector to reach more advanced stages, further investments, both public and private, are necessary to enable research and the provision of technologies and components for the production of satellite subsystems.

Future prospects of Polish space sector

Poland, despite relatively low expenditure on the space sector compared to other countries, shows that it is able to dynamically develop its technological and scientific capabilities. Increased investments and involvement in international projects, such as those implemented with ESA, create real opportunities for further development of the space sector in Poland. The future of the Polish space sector depends on the continuation of this trend and on further increasing investments and developing international cooperation.

Sources:

• The Polish Economic Institute – Tygodnik Gospodarczy, 35/2024
• The European Space Agency