In 2023, the first Polish observation microsatellite will go into orbit
21:22
Creotech Instruments S.A. (consortium leader), Scanway Sp. z o.o. and Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences are working on the project of the first Polish observation microsatellite EagleEye. The microsatellite will be placed in a very low orbit and will provide high-resolution images of the Earth at the level of 1 meter. Technical dialogue has already begun with potential suppliers of rockets and launch services to ensure the optimal operational orbit for the satellite. The satellite is scheduled for launch into low Earth orbit in 2023.
EagleEye is a 50-kilogram satellite based on the HyperSat microsatellite platform, which has been developed by Creotech Instruments engineers since 2017 under a program funded by the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR). The main elements of the platform are the onboard computer, the satellite’s positioning system in space (the so-called AOCS), the power distribution system, the efficient telecommunication system, the structure, and the solar cell batteries. All the above modules are developed in Poland, which is critical for the planned applications of the microsatellite platform in future programs for the security and defense sector of our country. In June 2021 the HyperSat microsatellite platform passed strength tests in a thermal-vacuum chamber at the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Currently, it is undergoing vibration tests simulating a rocket launch.
EagleEye project is conducted in accordance with the quality requirements developed by NASA, implemented by the European Space Agency and according to ECSS standards (European Cooperation for Space Standardization). In accordance with these requirements Creotech Instruments has successfully completed over 15 projects for the European Space Agency. Subsystems manufactured by the company are present on 12 space missions, including the Martian orbiter ExoMars-2016 and the International Space Station, and in 2023 will also fly with the mission to Jupiter. In addition, Creotech Instruments collects and processes data from all European Union observation satellites for the European Commission as part of the CreoDIAS cloud infrastructure. The experience gained in this project will also be used in the preparation of the mission in 2023.
