Poland reschedules launch of its first military satellites

The launch of Poland’s first military satellites has been postponed, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces has confirmed.

The satellites were initially scheduled to be launched on Poland’s Independence Day, November 11, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

Colonel Marek Pietrzak, spokesperson for the General Staff, told GeekWeek that the launch had been rescheduled for November 22. The change was communicated by SpaceX, the American company responsible for deploying the satellites as part of its Transporter-15 mission. No reason for the delay has yet been provided.

The satellites form part of Poland’s broader effort to modernise its armed forces. Until now, the country has relied entirely on satellite systems operated by its allies, including Italy’s radar satellite programme COSMO-SkyMed.

Two satellite programmes: MikroSAR and PIAST

The new military satellites are being launched under two separate programmes – MikroSAR and PIAST.

MikroSAR involves three synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites designed for Earth observation. The spacecraft were developed by ICEYE, while the ground component and antenna were produced by the Military Communications Works No. 1.

The project, initiated by the Armament Agency in May, is valued at more than 800 million złotys (around $216 million). The first of the three satellites is set to be launched aboard Transporter-15.

The PIAST programme, launched in 2021, is financed by Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development. It includes three nanosatellites equipped for optical and electronic image reconnaissance, at a total cost of about 70 million złotys (around $19 million).

The project is led by the Military University of Technology in collaboration with Creotech Instruments, the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Scanway, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, and PCO S.A.

By Aghakazim Guliyev