Author: Scanway
Publication date:
The U.S.-based Ethereal Space, Inc. and Scanway S.A. are expanding their collaboration, which began in January of this year, and are signing a supplementary memorandum. The existing partnership involves Scanway’s development of an optical instrument for the satellite constellation being deployed by Ethereal Space as part of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) program, as well as the potential for commercializing the collected data under a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. The memorandum outlines the directions for further, broader cooperation between the companies, particularly on projects carried out in the U.S. market, including those for government clients.
Collaboration under the NOAA SBEM Program
Ethereal Space, Inc. and Scanway S.A. have been collaborating since January of this year. Under the terms of a cooperation agreement signed and announced at the beginning of the year, Scanway S.A. will manufacture a next-generation optical instrument for the satellite constellation being built by Ethereal Space as part of the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) program of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The goal of the SBEM program is to make broader use of data from commercial satellite systems for weather forecasting and for monitoring the environment and space weather. The program is expected to run for an initial period of five years, with the possibility of a five-year extension. The agreement signed by Scanway in January also provides for the sharing of revenue from the potential commercialization of data recorded by the Scanway instrument under a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model.
According to information confirmed by NOAA in September 2026, Ethereal Space, Inc. was selected as one of five commercial satellite data providers under the SBEM program in the area of multispectral satellite imagery for meteorological purposes, alongside companies such as Tomorrow.io, Muon Space, Hydrosat, Inc., and Tropical Weather Analytics, Inc.
The program is administered by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) as part of the Commercial Data Program, using the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Program (ProTech) 2.0. Established in 2021, this mechanism provides for a joint procurement limit of up to $8 billion, which can be utilized by various NOAA units.
– We have been qualified by NOAA in three categories: “Multispectral Imaging,” “Thermospheric Neutral Density,” and “Radio Occultation Using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS-RO).” “In the ‘Multispectral Imaging’ category, we intend to collaborate with Scanway on optical instruments for specific orders—that is, Task Orders awarded to us by NOAA as part of the SBEM program,” says Shawn Cochran, CEO of Ethereal Space, Inc.
As part of the aforementioned program, Ethereal Space has already received its first “GNSS-RO” contract (i.e., one carried out without Scanway), namely Task Order 1, with a maximum value of approximately $27.4 million (equivalent to approximately 106.92 million PLN based on the National Bank of Poland’s average exchange rate as of October 9, 2026) and a 24-month implementation period. Data delivery is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026. Ethereal Space’s expertise includes GNSS radio occultation measurements (atmosphere and ionosphere), measurements of the neutral density of the thermosphere, and multispectral imaging in the visible and infrared ranges.
Expansion of Technological Cooperation
In the signed memorandum, Scanway and Ethereal Space identify further, broader areas of cooperation in which they will combine their expertise. Ethereal Space develops and operates satellite platforms and sensor systems, provides solutions to support the execution and operation of space missions, and offers commercial data services. Scanway, on the other hand, specializes in the design and development of advanced payloads and optical instruments, Earth observation systems, and imaging systems for space missions.
The companies plan to collaborate primarily on projects related to Earth observation (EO) and environmental monitoring. One of the key areas of cooperation will be the development of infrared optical instruments and their integration with satellite platforms. Joint efforts may also involve the design of mission architectures, including, among other things, payloads and satellite platforms.
Another key area will be data processing and delivery. The memorandum also provides for cooperation in the areas of Space Situational Awareness (SSA; monitoring and analysis of objects and events in space) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA; situational awareness in space). Cooperation may also extend to selected defense and dual-use applications.
– Together with Ethereal Space, we want to develop solutions covering the entire chain of satellite data acquisition and utilization—from the optical instrument and its integration with the satellite platform to the processing and use of the acquired data. Infrared instruments will be a particularly important area for us— we see great technological and business potential in this field,” says Mikołaj Podgórski, COO of Scanway S.A.
Depending on the needs of a specific project, the companies can collaborate at various stages of a mission—from defining its objectives and technical requirements, through the selection and integration of optical payloads with satellite platforms, to mission management and operations, as well as the processing and utilization of the acquired data. Scanway and Ethereal Space intend to get involved in joint projects as early as the planning stage, so that they can combine their technologies from the outset and tailor solutions to the needs of end customers.
Ethereal Space, Inc. is an American space company based in Denver that specializes in the design and implementation of large-scale space missions, including satellite operations conducted for commercial clients. The measurement technologies used in Ethereal Space’s architecture are based, among other things, on solutions previously developed as part of U.S. government-funded programs. In 2026, Ethereal Space began building its own Solar Sentry constellation. The first batch of operational satellites was launched into orbit on October 1, and an additional 16 satellites will be launched over the next 13 months.
The U.S. market is one of the priorities for growth
The priority for the continued collaboration between Scanway and Ethereal Space will be to develop joint projects and secure contracts in the United States, including for government clients. The companies intend to jointly bid on new contracts under a model in which Ethereal Space will serve as the prime contractor and Scanway as a technology partner or subcontractor. The implementation of these projects will depend on the terms of specific procurement processes and contracts, as well as on obtaining the required approvals from the relevant U.S. government agencies.
The expansion of the partnership with Ethereal Space marks another step in the growth of Scanway’s operations in the U.S. market. Since 2024, the company has been collaborating with the U.S.-based Intuitive Machines, a global leader in commercial lunar exploration. In 2026, Scanway also established a strategic technology partnership with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)—a NASA laboratory managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The partners intend to jointly develop an infrared camera for space applications designed for orbital thermography.
– The American New Space sector is growing thanks to a combination of significant private capital and extensive public programs. The scale of funding and the number of projects underway—including constellations comprising hundreds of satellites—clearly set the United States apart from Europe today. We also want to increase our presence in this market and build a portfolio of contracts for the coming years. Collaboration with leaders in their fields, such as Intuitive Machines and NASA’s JPL, and now our expanded partnership with Ethereal Space, opens up new technological and business opportunities for us,” concludes Jędrzej Kowalewski, CEO of Scanway S.A.
About Ethereal Space, Inc.:
Ethereal Space designs, manufactures, and operates commercial satellite systems that support space weather monitoring, Earth observation, the collection and analysis of environmental data, and the execution of other civilian, defense, and commercial missions. The company combines expertise in satellite construction, observation technologies, space operations, and data-driven services, serving customers in the United States and international markets. For more information: https://etherealspace.com/
About Scanway:
Scanway S.A. is a Polish company that has been in business for 10 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, it 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 a dozen or so companies worldwide, Scanway has developed a complete line 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 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 deployed its equipment (Scanway Camera System) on the maiden flight of Europe’s newest launch vehicle, Ariane 6, and supplied Poland’s largest-ever telescope, weighing approximately 10 kg (SOP200), to EagleEye.
The company has completed nearly 50 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.
In October 2023, the Company made its debut on the NewConnect market. On March 27, 2026, the Company made its debut on the Main Market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. For more information: https://scanway.pl/
Additional information:
Katarzyna Żądło
Chief Communication & Investor Relations Officer
Scanway S.A.
+48 661 601 402
k.zadlo@scanway.pl
Mardoniusz Maćkowiak
Investor Relations Manager
cc group
+48 605 959 539
mardoniusz.mackowiak@ccgroup.pl
Franciszek Szukała
Financial Communication Manager
cc group
+48 664 920 048
franciszek.szukala@ccgroup.pl