Author: Scanway
Publication date:
A Polish telescope will be launched into lunar orbit in 2026 under the slogan “WIG20 to the Moon.” Scanway S.A. will be the first Polish company to supply an optical instrument for a commercial lunar mission and, moreover, will develop a European system for processing lunar images. Scanway’s lunar mission also serves as a catalyst for broader discussions about the role of Polish technology companies—including deep tech firms—on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Together with the daily newspaper “Rzeczpospolita,” Scanway is launching a debate on the ecosystem of innovative technology companies that could become the new growth leaders on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
“WIG20 to the Moon”
The telescope, which Scanway S.A. will soon deliver to the American company Intuitive Machines, will be engraved with the slogan “WIG20 to the Moon,” a phrase popular among the Polish investment community. The telescope, developed in a laboratory in Wrocław, will map the Moon’s surface and detect minerals present there. Furthermore, on behalf of the European Space Agency, as part of the same mission, the company will be responsible for processing satellite imagery of the Moon. Scanway will thus create a European system for processing satellite data from the Moon and, in terms of lunar observation, connect Europe with the U.S. Artemis lunar program, currently the largest and most advanced in the world.
– Our collaboration with Intuitive Machines and the European Space Agency will provide Europe with access to key imagery of the Moon’s surface. The data processing system we are developing will be the first commercial solution of its kind in Europe. We will provide both an optical mapping instrument and a comprehensive data processing system. To the best of our knowledge, this combination is a unique solution on the European market. – explains Mikołaj Podgórski, COO of Scanway S.A.
– The lunar mission with our telescope is a direct illustration of the capabilities of Polish tech companies and an opportunity to build a narrative about the Polish capital market as a space for innovation – says Jędrzej Kowalewski, CEO of Scanway S.A. – ““WIG20 to the Moon”—in other words, we’re symbolically sending the Polish stock market to the moon. We’re referencing the “To the Moon” slogan, which is well known to investors, because that’s the kind of growth we’d like to see among Polish technology and innovation companies. We believe that the ecosystem of innovative companies—including deep tech firms—has the potential to become the driving force behind the growth of the Polish stock market, increasing its appeal to both domestic and foreign investors. – he adds.
– We have a real opportunity to help build the infrastructure needed for a future, permanent human presence on the Moon. This is in line with global trends in space exploration, currently shaped by the competition between the U.S. and China, both of which are planning crewed missions to the Moon by 2030. – emphasizes Michał Zięba, CTO of Scanway S.A.. – “Our partnership with Intuitive Machines is not only a technological milestone, but also an opportunity to enter the largest U.S. market—which is crucial for the New Space sector in which we operate,” he adds.
In December 2024, Scanway signed a contract with Intuitive Machines of the United States as part of the Lunar Data Network (LDN) program, co-funded by NASA. The goal of this project is to build communications infrastructure around the Moon—which is crucial for future missions and a sustained human presence beyond Earth. The Polish telescope will be aboard the first LDN satellite, which will travel in an elliptical orbit ranging from 500 to 2,800 km above the Moon’s surface.
Will innovative companies take the Warsaw Stock Exchange to the next level?
“Reaching for the Unattainable. How Can an Ecosystem of Innovative Companies Stimulate the Growth of the Polish Stock Exchange and Capital Market?” — Under this slogan and in cooperation with the daily newspaper “Rzeczpospolita,” the Company is initiating a discussion on whether innovative technology companies can accelerate the growth of the stock exchange and the Polish capital market. The debate, hosted by the editorial staff of “Rzeczpospolita,” featured the participation of Participants included: Waldemar Markiewicz, President of the Chamber of Brokerage Houses; Jędrzej Łukomski, Equity Portfolio Manager at Rockbridge TFI; Tymoteusz Turski, Equity Market Analyst at XTB. The following also shared their opinions: Jędrzej Kowalewski, CEO of Scanway S.A., and Filip Granek, CEO of XTPL S.A.
The participants in the discussion considered to what extent the trend toward innovation is a reality and to what extent it is a myth, where innovative companies seek capital, and what role the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) and the capital market play in this process. They discussed the effectiveness of the support system for technology companies, ways to improve it, and the WSE’s plans in this regard. They also considered what innovative companies can bring to the stock exchange and the capital market, which industries have the greatest potential to be included in the WIG20 index in the future, and whether the deep tech sector could increase the WSE’s appeal to domestic and foreign investors. The debate also touched on the future of the space sector—whether it is a passing fad or a real opportunity for capital markets. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the effective promotion of Polish technology companies on the international stage and the role the WSE can play in this process. A report on the debate will be published on the “Rzeczpospolita” website on July 10.
Scanway S.A. is on its way to the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Scanway S.A. is now a company with a global reach and a leading representative of the New Space movement—Poland’s leading exporter of space technology and one of a dozen or so major players in Europe with the potential to expand into the U.S. The optical solutions developed by the company were used in key European and domestic space missions in 2024. Today, the company is listed on the NewConnect market (where it consistently ranks among the top in terms of trading volume) and maintains its intention to move to the regulated market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) later this year. This means that the Warsaw Stock Exchange will gain a Polish leader in optical space observation technology and another representative of the space sector.
– We are working on the prospectus and hope to make our market debut as early as 2025. The transition to the regulated market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange will enable a broader group of investors—including institutional investors—to gain exposure to the space sector, which is forward-looking and growing very rapidly in Poland and around the world. – says Jędrzej Kowalewski.
“Chors,” “Tvardowsky,” and “Boruta”—the Polish telescope has its own names
Scanway also ensured that the first Polish telescope to be launched into lunar orbit would have its own names. Based on the contest entries submitted, the company selected three winning proposals: “Chors”—the name given to the telescope as a whole, referring to a Slavic lunar deity—while its mirrors will be named “Tvardowsky” and “Boruta,” inspired by the legend of Pan Twardowski. The launch of the satellite carrying the Scanway telescope is scheduled for 2026.
About Scanway:
Scanway S.A. is a Polish company that has been in business for 9 years. It specializes in the optical data chain, which includes data acquisition, processing, analytics, and event prediction based on that data. In the Space segment, the company provides both hardware solutions (optical instruments, such as telescopes and cameras) and imaging analytics. In the Industry segment, it offers solutions (products) based on image data processing, including complete quality control systems. The Company’s expertise and experience in both fields are complementary and create synergies. Scanway strives to provide its customers with full access to key optical data in both segments.
As one of only a dozen or so companies worldwide, Scanway has developed a complete range of optoelectronic products for Earth observation from orbit. The company carries out key contracts for space equipment in Poland and around the world, including for commercial clients. It also operates STAR VIBE, Poland’s longest-operating optical observation satellite. The company’s solutions have been incorporated into the most important European and Polish space missions of 2024. Among other achievements, the company installed its equipment (the Scanway Camera System) on the maiden flight of Europe’s newest launch vehicle, Ariane 6, and delivered Poland’s largest-ever telescope, weighing approximately 10 kg (SOP200) to EagleEye—the largest satellite Poland has ever sent into space.
The company has completed over 40 quality control implementations in the industrial sector. As a technology partner to the sector’s largest manufacturers, it develops proprietary software solutions using AI and advanced applications for Industry 4.0.
The company has completed over 40 quality control implementations in the industrial sector. As a technology partner for the sector’s largest manufacturers, it develops proprietary software solutions using AI and advanced applications for Industry 4.0.
In October 2023, the Company made its debut on the NewConnect market. It has fully achieved the goals announced in its initial public offering and is currently preparing to move to the Main Market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. For more information:
https://scanway.pl/ and https://scanway.space/
Media Contact
Scanway S.A. Corporate Communications Office
Katarzyna Żądło
+48 661 140 260
k.zadlo@scanway.pl
Contact for investors and analysts
Mardoniusz Maćkowiak
+48 605 959 539
mardoniusz.mackowiak@ccgroup.pl