Polish-Belgian Consortium led by Creotech Instruments to develop mission concept for the Low-LEO layer of IRIS²

Creotech Instruments S.A., Poland’s largest satellite manufacturer and a space mission integrator listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has become the leader of a Polish-Belgian consortium carrying out a project for the European Space Agency (ESA) related to the European Union’s secure connectivity system IRIS². The consortium will develop the service and a concept for a demonstration satellite mission designed to validate technical and pre-operational solutions aimed at enhancing the provision of secure connectivity future services for governmental users within the IRIS² system. The contract value for the mission consolidation phase amounts to EUR 1.47 million, of which EUR 950,000 represents Creotech Instruments’ share. The Company’s partner is Belgium-based Aerospacelab.

The project is being implemented as part of Element 3 of the ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity and covers activities corresponding to the consolidation of relevant services and associated mission concepts. The consolidation phase began in mid-September and will continue until January 2027. Its objective is to further define the service needs and requirements, refine the technical and programmatic assumptions of the future mission, and prepare it for the next stage of development.

Within the consortium, Creotech Instruments acts as the consortium leader and is responsible for the satellite platform and system integration. Aerospacelab is responsible for the radio-frequency payload and data processing. The Belgian company specialises in the design, manufacturing and operation of satellites. It is responsible for the design, production and delivery of 264 satellite platforms to low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of IRIS² – the European Union’s strategic programme aimed at ensuring secure and independent satellite connectivity. By combining the expertise of both partners, the consortium will develop a mission concept encompassing the space, ground and user segments.

"The contract for the mission consolidation phase of the IRIS² Low-LEO Pre-operational and De-risking Activities, part of ESA’s Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, is an important project for us, both due to the significance of the programme for Europe’s secure connectivity infrastructure and the role entrusted to Creotech Instruments as the consortium leader. In the consortium, we are responsible for the satellite platform and system integration, thereby further developing our capabilities in the design and integration of complete satellite systems. Another important aspect of the project is our cooperation with Aerospacelab, which has been selected to build 264 satellites for the LEO segment of the IRIS² system. Combining our expertise with our partner’s experience in radio-frequency payloads and data processing enables us to jointly develop a solution that meets the requirements of one of Europe’s key satellite programmes. Participation in the project will also provide valuable experience as we prepare for the implementation of subsequent stages of advanced space missions."

Maciej Misiura

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

IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is an EU programme aimed at building secure and resilient satellite connectivity infrastructure for EU governmental users. The system is intended to support, among other things, critical communications, crisis management and the activities of public institutions, thereby contributing to greater European strategic autonomy in the field of secure connectivity.