Poland in space. Letter of intent regarding ESA and dual use

At the end of July, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Poland’s plan to conquer space. – We are trying to convince the European Space Agency to decide to build its center in Poland – he said during a press conference after meeting the second Polish astronaut after returning from the mission.

The Minister of Finance, Andrzej Domański, who was late for the two-day Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency, will sign a letter of intent on this matter today. There will probably also be talks in Bremen about the future of Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.

The future of the Polish space sector is at stake

During the summit, a decision will be made regarding the amount of the allocated membership fee, which, in accordance with the principle of geographical return, will return to domestic companies in the form of contracts for individual subsystems of space missions. In September, Minister Domański announced that Poland’s contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) will gradually increase.

Andrzej Domański will probably declare an amount of approximately EUR 425 million for the next three years. Its amount determines how many and what contracts Polish companies will receive in the coming years and what future awaits the second Polish astronaut.

– Poland is moving from the role of a relatively new ESA member to the role of a much more mature player, with growing knowledge and a strong desire for further involvement. I particularly appreciate Poland’s ambitious and forward-looking strategy, said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, to Space24.pl.

Poland’s security is the development of dual use technology

– Today, the European space sector operates in a context of rapid technological progress, intensifying global competition and growing geopolitical uncertainty. Poland believes that European space policy must prioritize resilience, security and strategic development, said Piotr Zabadała, deputy director of the Department of Innovation and Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Development and Technology, replacing the absent Andrzej Domański, at the first session.

One of the priorities is the development of Earth observation systems necessary for crisis management and environmental monitoring, as well as for secure satellite communication – Poland has the ambition to build its own satellite operations system. The signing of the letter of intent will begin negotiations with ESA regarding the scope and location of the headquarters in Poland. Poland’s goal is also to develop dual-use technologies (for civilian and military purposes) used to ensure security, also in the context of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s repeated threats against NATO countries.

Polish satellites will go into space

Interestingly, we still do not have our own system of satellites in space. In May 2025, the Ministry of National Defense signed a contract for the supply of the Earth Observation Satellite System in the MikroSAR program with a consortium consisting of ICEYE Polska and Wojskowe Zakłady Głosności No. 1. The contract assumes the purchase of three observation satellites, with an option to purchase another three. Their launch is scheduled for the end of November 2025. The value of the entire order is approximately PLN 860 million gross.

– Imaging is the foundation of defense effectiveness, as the situation in Ukraine has shown us. No one on NATO’s eastern flank has these capabilities. This is the best technology in the world. These are not only the best capabilities, but also the fastest acquired capabilities, said the Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, after signing the agreement.

ESA’s long-term strategy plan until 2040 assumes five goals. The European Space Agency wants to use space technologies to fight climate change and space threats, explore space, ensure the security of European countries, support Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness, and inspire young people to discover space.