Successful test of Polish rocket – a step towards cosmic sovereignty

A successful test of the Polish single-stage suborbital rocket, developed by the consortium under the leadership of the Military method Institute of Armed Forces (WITU), was held at the Central Air Force Police in Ustka.

The consortium consists of Military Aviation Plant No. 1 S.A. (leader), WITU and peculiar Production Plant “GAMRAT” Sp. z o.o. The launch of a prototype rocket with a diameter of 300 mm, reaching a velocity of more than 620 m/s and a simulated charge of 40 kg, is simply a key step in the implementation of the ambitious task “Development of a three-stage suborbital rocket strategy to carry out investigation loads”, co-financed by the National Centre for investigation and improvement (NCBR) under the fast way – Space Technologies programme.

The rocket, which is part of the future three-stage suborbital system, is intended to scope an altitude of more than 100 km, crossing the Kármán line – the contractual boundary of space. The one-stage prototype tested in April confirmed the effectiveness of national technologies, including control systems, navigation systems and telemetry, which operated as intended. The task envisages the improvement of a recoverable carrier rocket capable of carrying test loads of up to 40 kg, with possible applications in the space and defence sectors, e.g. as anti-aircraft rockets or tactical "ground-ground".

The consortium combined its competences: WITU is liable for concept design, calculations, drives, control and investigating systems; WZL1 for structural elements, including composites and ablative materials; and GAMRAT for the production of rocket fuel on a modern industrial line for loads up to 650 mm in diameter. Data collected during flight are presently being analysed, allowing strategy optimization and preparation for investigating subsequent rocket degrees.

The test is simply a crucial minute for the Polish space sector, strengthening the position of the country in the pursuit of technological sovereignty. As Dr. Dariusz Sokołowski from WITU emphasizes, the success of the launch is “the beginning of a fresh era for Poland in the field of space and defence technologies”. The task is not only intended to enable the carrying of investigation loads, but besides to make a foundation for the improvement of Polish carrier systems and military missiles.

Poland develops respective suborbital rocket projects, specified as ILR-33 Amber 2K (Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation), which reached 101 km in July 2024, and Perun from SpaceForest, supported by the European Space Agency. The WITU test fits into the strategy of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), which promotes independency from abroad providers of export services. The success of the WITU rocket opens the way for further trials, including tests of two- and three-stage versions of the system, which can importantly grow Poland's capabilities in space exploration and military applications.

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