Full Constellation of Polish Mikroglob satellites placed in orbit

Creotech Instruments, the largest Polish space mission integrator listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has reached a significant milestone in the implementation of the Mikroglob Satellite Earth Observation System (SSOZ). The system’s next three satellites - Mikroglob-2, Mikroglob-3 and Mikroglob-4 - have been successfully launched into Earth orbit, established two-way communication with ground infrastructure, and entered the comprehensive orbital testing phase. Reaching this milestone confirms the readiness of Polish technologies developed by Creotech Instruments to carry out advanced space missions and marks an important step in building national Earth observation capabilities for state security purposes.

The Mikroglob project is a strategic programme to develop a Satellite Earth Observation System, implemented by Creotech Instruments S.A. on behalf of the Armament Agency. Its purpose is to support the needs of Poland’s security and defence sector. The successful commencement of the orbital phase confirms the effectiveness of the company’s approach to the design, construction and integration of complete satellite systems.

The Mikroglob-2, Mikroglob-3 and Mikroglob-4 satellites were launched on 1 October 2026 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-18 mission. Following separation from the launch vehicle, the LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) began, including satellite stabilisation, activation of the platform’s basic functions and verification of the correct operation of key subsystems.

"The successful entry of another three satellites into the orbital operations phase confirms the expertise of our team and the effectiveness of the technologies developed by Creotech Instruments. Reaching this milestone within 21 months of signing the agreement with the Armament Agency demonstrates that we are capable of delivering complex space projects in line with demanding schedules. The use of our proprietary HyperSat satellite platform, developed by Creotech Instruments and used in subsequent projects, enabled the efficient execution of the entire process — from the design phase, through production and integration, to the start of operations in orbit. Mikroglob is one of the most important projects at our company and an important step in building national capabilities in Earth observation and the use of space technologies for state security purposes."

Dr hab. Grzegorz Brona

President of the Management Board of Creotech Instruments S.A.

The Creotech Instruments team successfully carried out activities related to establishing communication with the satellites, receiving telemetry data and assessing the operating parameters of the platforms. The objectives set for the first stage of the mission were achieved, including confirmation of communication with the satellites and the start of the process of commissioning and testing the onboard systems. The first image captured by the engineering camera on board the Mikroglob-4 satellite is now available. The image shows the satellite’s deployed solar panels, with what appears to be an aurora visible in the background.

Image captured by the Mikroglob-4 engineering camera

The commissioning phase is currently under way, during which successive satellite components are being thoroughly verified, including systems responsible for delivering the mission’s full functionality.

The Mikroglob project is being carried out as part of Creotech Instruments’ space activities in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. On 28 May 2026, the company received a decision from the President of the Polish Space Agency granting it authorisation to conduct space activities in accordance with the Act of 13 February 2026 on Space Activities. The authorisation is related to Creotech Instruments’ implementation of the Mikroglob Satellite Earth Observation System (SSOZ) project.

Obtaining the authorisation also confirms the organisational and technological maturity of Creotech Instruments as an entity conducting space activities. The company was the first entity in Poland to receive such authorisation from the President of the Polish Space Agency under the new regulations governing space activities.

Mikroglob in Poland’s National Satellite Observation System

The Mikroglob project forms part of the broader development of Poland’s satellite Earth observation capabilities, encompassing both very-high-resolution systems and solutions providing a larger number of satellites and more frequent access to imagery. According to publicly available information, in 2022 Poland signed an agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for the delivery of two very-high-resolution reconnaissance satellites, with a resolution of approximately 30 cm. Their launch into orbit is planned for 2027. The value of the programme was set at EUR 575 million net.

Mikroglob complements these capabilities. In 2024, the Armament Agency signed an agreement with Creotech Instruments for the construction of four high-resolution observation satellites based on the HyperSat platform developed in Poland. The entire constellation was placed in orbit within 21 months of signing the agreement. A larger number of satellites makes it possible to increase the frequency of observations of selected areas, while very-high-resolution solutions provide the ability to obtain detailed imagery of individual objects. The two types of capability can therefore perform complementary functions within a satellite reconnaissance system.

The project is co-financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO).