Poland Signs Contract With Airbus For High-Resolution Imaging Satellites

Poland has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space which gives the Polish government and military access to high resolution imaging capabilities using satellites manufactured by Airbus.

As early as 2023, Poland will be provided with Very High Resolution (VHR) imagery from Airbus' Pléiades Neo constellation with 2 operational satellites - both launched in 2021.

As part of the same contract, Airbus will develop, manufacture, launch and deliver two VHR satellites for Poland by 2027. The launch will occur from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana aboard an Ariane 6 or Vega-C launcher.

Following the launch of the satellites from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, the imagery coming from the Polish satellites will be directly received in Poland by the infrastructure of the national satellite system, ensuring full autonomy.

"This contract will provide Poland with one of the world’s most sophisticated satellite Earth observation systems. It strengthens Europe and gives the Polish nation a truly sovereign space capability. We look forward to further developing our cooperation with Poland under the umbrella of the strategic partnership between France and Poland", says Jean-Marc Nasr, head of Space Systems at Airbus.

The satellites' assembly, integration and tests will be carried out in Airbus’ clean rooms in Toulouse, France and launch is planned by 2027. Starting in 2023, Poland will have access to Pléiades Neo imagery directly from Airbus.