Poland has officially entered into an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) that paves the way for the establishment of its own constellation of observation satellites. The agreement, which came into effect on Monday, was announced by the Ministry of Development and Technology.
According to a statement released by the ministry, the observation satellite systems are slated to commence operations in 2027, with a construction cost estimated at EUR 85 million. The contract specifies the construction of at least four satellites, encompassing three optoelectronic satellites and one radar satellite.
Poland’s participation in this initiative grants the country access to high-resolution Earth observation data. Moreover, the domestic industry stands to benefit significantly, as Polish companies will acquire expertise in the production and integration of satellite systems. The importance of satellite data in various sectors, including spatial management, agriculture, crisis management, and environmental protection, cannot be overstated.
The milestone agreement was preceded by a series of significant developments in Poland’s collaboration with the ESA. In late August of this year, Waldemar Buda, the Minister of Development and Technology, and Josef Aschbacher, the Director-General of the European Space Agency, inked three crucial agreements. These agreements encompassed the participation of the second Polish individual in history to join a space mission, internships for Polish graduates at ESA, and the advancement of Polish space technologies.