Creotech successfully establishes communication with EagleEye satellite!

On 16 August 2024, Poland’s space industry marked a historic milestone with a launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, as a Falcon 9 rocket carried Poland’s largest and most advanced Earth observation satellite to date – EagleEye – to orbit. Following successful separation from the launch vehicle, the mission reached another crucial milestone with the establishment of satellite communication. In the coming weeks, the team at Creotech Instruments will focus on testing and calibrating the satellite’s components under actual space conditions. This essential phase will enable the activation of the satellite’s full capabilities and prepare it for operational tasks.

“With great satisfaction and pride, I can report that we have successfully completed the first and very important phase of the EagleEye mission in orbit. The launch went smoothly, and the initial operations proceeded without issue. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our operators and engineers, the satellite is now in a stable orbit at approximately 510 km and ready for the next steps. All systems are reporting normal parameters as we prepare for upcoming operations. While we still face several challenges, including testing and calibrating all subsystems in orbit, the smooth execution of the mission so far gives us confidence for both this and future space missions,” said Piotr Dziuban, PhD, Director of Engineering at Creotech Instruments S.A.

The historic launch on 16 August 2024 saw Poland’s largest satellite to date – EagleEye – lift off from Vandenberg Base aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, in partnership with launch operator Exolaunch. Shortly thereafter, Creotech Instruments’ Mission Control confirmed the successful activation of the satellite in Earth orbit.

“The satellite’s onboard systems are performing nominally,” commented Marcin Mazur, EagleEye Project Manager at Creotech Instruments. The initial hours post-launch were particularly intense for our Mission Control team. We conducted a series of crucial operations to stabilize the satellite’s orientation and deploy its solar panels, ensuring proper functionality and a reliable power supply,” he added.

In the coming weeks, the team will concentrate on testing and calibrating the satellite’s components in the challenging conditions of space. This phase is crucial to fully activate EagleEye’s functionalities and prepare it for operational tasks. Once fully operational, the satellite will deploy Scanway’s optical telescope, designed for Earth observation in the visible and near-infrared spectrum.

The EagleEye mission represents a milestone for Poland’s space sector, demonstrating the nation’s growing expertise in advanced satellite technologies and its capacity to execute advanced satellite projects.

The project’s total cost reached nearly PLN 45m, with over PLN 27m covered by grants.