Military constellations

Satisfaction?

Huge. Especially since we're behind a complicated and multi-stage process. The satellites had to be prepared for the mission, put in orbit, decently configured. No 1 has always done anything like this in little time than we do now. But it's besides a sign of how fast the space technology marketplace is changing. ICEYE builds satellites serially, according to a plan with circumstantial specifications, although of course we can change any parameters. Anyway, our client buys a finished product from the shelf. This saves importantly the costs and time associated with the implementation of the service equipment.

So what possibilities do your microsar satellites supply to the Polish military?

They take pictures of the Earth's surface utilizing radar technology. This allows them to work effectively both day and night, and especially crucial – regardless of the weather conditions. Unlike optical satellites, they do not even have a thick cloud layer. The satellites we provided to the Polish army supply photos in very advanced resolution – 25 cm per pixel. This means that you can easy admit various types of objects on them. Imaging allows you to track the movements of the troops of a possible opponent and plan effective strikes.

The accuracy of the evidence and the continuity of the provision of information are crucial today. The war in Ukraine has shown that satellite systems are already utilized not only at strategical and operational level, but besides tactical. Photos of them frequently aid to make decisions about movements of individual divisions. Therefore, it is crucial for the military to have access to images almost in real time. A constellation consisting of respective twelve satellites allows you to take photos of the area of interest to us all 20-30 minutes.

The Polish army is inactive building its constellation, but on this road it took the first crucial step. We've delivered her high-quality equipment. In their category they are a bit like an F-35 among aircraft. And there's no exaggeration. ICEYE satellites have been appreciated many times by our partners, for example, from the American National Reconaissance Office. Our equipment provides the best quality radar imaging performed under different conditions.

You mentioned the war in Ukraine. To what degree did it affect your work?

It's significant. First of all, the war in Ukraine resulted in the modification of military doctrines. The first of the revolution was the mass usage of drones in the field of combat, the second – the usage of satellite systems already mentioned by me at tactical level. Any fresh solutions could be tested in real terms. ICEYE provides data to the Ukrainian army. Therefore, I can warrant that the technologies we offer to the Polish military are full functional and proven in the best way.

Polish soldiers are already liable for operating the satellites provided by you. But in any
Do you inactive support them?

The active support program has already been completed. I'd compare it to a driver's licence course, combined with a car sale. We hand over the car, present the rules of its operation, then ride in the passenger seat for a while, observing how the student is doing and at the same time the fresh owner. Finally, however, we leave him alone. But of course, in case of a collision, the owner can always call us for help... And that's how it looks.

What's next? In 2025 you signed a contract to supply 3 satellites with an option to extend it to purchase
another three. There are 4 orbits in orbit right now.

We are very arrogant that it was with us that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland took the first step in space independently in history. I cannot go into detail, but I hope that cooperation with the army will be long-term – we surely have many ideas for that.

Space is simply a hostile working environment, which is why the satellite fleet needs to be systematically renewed: add newer, more advanced devices and in a controlled way retreat the oldest ones from orbit. This has 1 more crucial advantage: each next generation of devices is better than the erstwhile one. The replacement of the fleet is not a cost of maintenance but an chance to increase the quality of data, resolution and frequency of observation. The constellation that is orbiting present will gradually modernise – what we see now is just the beginning.

The planet is changing rapidly, the importance of tactical satellite reconnaissance is increasing, so in order not to stay behind, the military must grow its resources. The future is simply a constellation composed of respective dozen, 1 100 and more satellites: radar, optical, sigint [from SIGINT, capture and analyse electromagnetic signals]. Everyone goes this way: USA, India, Japan, mediate East and Europe... I presume Poland will, too.

And by the way, a fewer decades ago space technologies were reserved for the top powers,
Today, even tiny countries scope for them. A real revolution...

...which will proceed. In the early 20th century, erstwhile a plane constructed by the Wright brothers first ascended into the air, Graham Alexander Bell said: “The nation that will safe control of the air will yet control the world.” Today, in a sense, the same can be said about space. States will effort to mark their presence in this domain more and more, due to the fact that their safety will depend on it, and in utmost cases, the course of future wars.

And we're most likely not just talking about the orbital sphere.

Definitely not, but the exploration of the Moon, Mars, possible fighting in space is simply a more or little distant future, reserved – at least for the top powers for now. We should focus on where we are right now. And here we are at the beginning of the road.