A Airbus Defense and Space has signed a contract with Poland to provide a geospatial intelligence satellite system, including the development, manufacture, launch and in-orbit delivery of two high-performance optical Earth observation satellites.
The contract also covers the associated ground segment, including the Direct Reception Station in Poland, launch services, training of the Polish team, maintenance and technical for space and ground systems.
Furthermore, the agreement covers the delivery of high-resolution imagery (VHR) of the Airbus Pléiades Neo constellation as early as 2023.
This contract is the first export success, obtained with the of the French government, of the Airbus S950 VHR optical satellite that stems from the development of the Pléiades Neo constellation, already operating in orbit with two satellites since 2021.
This state-of-the-art system offers cutting-edge performance of VHR optics accompanied by very high agility in orbit.
Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus said: “This contract will provide Poland with one of the most sophisticated Earth observation satellite systems in the world. It strengthens Europe and gives the Polish nation a truly sovereign space capability. We look forward to further developing our cooperation with Poland under the umbrella of the strategic partnership between and Poland.”
After the launch of the satellites from the European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, the images from the Polish satellites will be received directly in Poland by the infrastructure of the national satellite system, guaranteeing total autonomy.
This announcement consolidates Airbus' position as a world leader in the export of satellite Earth observation systems and is a great demonstration of confidence in the company's technology.
It is also an endorsement of Airbus' strategy to invest in the Pléiades Neo constellation, a reference in VHR geoinformation systems.
The assembly, integration and testing of the satellites will be carried out in Airbus' clean rooms in Toulouse and the launch is scheduled for 2027. From 2023, Poland will have access to Pléiades Neo images directly from Airbus.
Street: Airbus
