Creotech signs contract with ESA for Space Weather Research Mission

Creotech Instruments, Poland’s largest space company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the “Space Weather Nanosatellites System Enhancement” project. The mission aims to study space weather – specifically, the interaction between solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere – using data collected from low Earth orbit. The estimated total cost of construction, launch, and operation stands at around a dozen million euros, while the Phase 0-A contract is valued at EUR 175,000. Key scientific partners in this project include the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN) and Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

“We are excited to contribute to this strategic space weather research mission. Following our success with the Plasma Observatory mission, this project reinforces our position in the global space sector, particularly in space situational awareness. It also underscores ESA’s trust in our expertise with small satellite systems,” said Grzegorz Brona, PhD, President of the Management Board (CEO).

The Space Weather mission will provide near real-time data from onboard satellite instruments, focusing on the magnetosphere and thermosphere. These insights are essential for predicting and monitoring space weather phenomena and their impact on critical orbital infrastructure.

 “These measurements will improve our understanding and forecasting of solar activity’s effects on Earth’s environment. The data will help protect satellite infrastructure and orbital technologies, safeguarding communication systems, navigation, and other operations dependent on stable space conditions. This mission is crucial for ensuring technological and operational security across sectors like aviation and ground-based energy systems, which are sensitive to magnetospheric and thermospheric disturbances,” explained Piotr Dziuban, CTO of the Space Division at Creotech Instruments S.A.

As the project leader, Creotech will design the satellite based on its proprietary HyperSat platform, which will carry four scientific instruments: three from the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences and one from Wrocław University of Science and Technology’s Faculty of Electronics, Photonics, and Microsystems. During Phase 0-A, Creotech will develop a preliminary mission design to measure space weather parameters, focusing on solar activity’s influence on Earth orbit conditions. The HyperSat system will be customized to accommodate the space weather research payload, with Phase 0-A set to commence in Q4 2024 and last nine months. The underlying contract is valued at EUR 175,000.

The HyperSat system positions Creotech among a select group of global companies capable of delivering advanced microsatellites and satellite constellations tailored to specific client needs. Most key system elements were successfully demonstrated during this year’s EagleEye test mission.

This ESA “Mission as a Service” (MaaS) project is a unique initiative that could pave the way for future satellite construction and potential constellation development, based on the findings of Phase 0-A.