Author: Scanway
Publication date:
Scanway, Poland’s leader in optical space observation technology, has launched the second phase of the SEMOViS project, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA). The company is developing Poland’s largest optical telescope capable of imaging the Earth with a resolution of less than 1 meter per pixel; it will be installed on a satellite weighing approximately 100 kg as part of a constellation being built by Marble Imaging of Germany. Scanway will thus join a select group of European companies offering very high-resolution instruments. The first phase of the project culminated in the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), marking the conclusion of preliminary R&D work, including a design review, concept evaluation, and verification of compliance with requirements.
- The launch of Phase II of the SEMOViS project triggers an advance payment of 0.9 million EUR and includes the development of a prototype model, testing, and the construction of a target model based on it, which is scheduled to be operational in 2026
- The total amount of funding for the project from the ESA is 3.94 million EUR, of which 3.2 million EUR is allocated to Scanway, which has received 0.6 million EUR to date
- The SEMOViS project aligns with Scanway’s strategic development priorities related to participation in constellation projects and the production of increasingly larger optical instruments, which opens up new markets for the Company.
– The successful completion of the PDR review and the launch of Phase II of the SEMOViS project confirm that our optical instrument meets the specified requirements, and that our existing infrastructure enables the creation of a key component for the demonstration satellite, which marks the beginning of the construction of a large satellite constellation by Marble Imaging of Germany. Our task is to develop a telescope capable of imaging the Earth with a resolution of less than 1 meter per pixel, which means that the optical instrument will be approximately twice as large as the telescope we supplied for the EagleEye project and about four times heavier than that solution. In this way, Scanway will join a select group of European companies offering very high-resolution optical instruments – comments Jędrzej Kowalewski, President of the Management Board of Scanway S.A. Funding for the SEMOViS project comes from a pool of optional funds as part of Poland’s increased contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) for 2023–2025. The project’s implementation, in close cooperation with ESA, underscores Scanway’s readiness to handle future contracts, including those from the upcoming new pool of funds under Poland’s contribution to the ESA for 2026–2028, which will be recommended by Polish decision-makers at the November meeting of the ESA Ministerial Council (CM25) )” – adds Jędrzej Kowalewski.
The demonstration satellite will be equipped with a telescope featuring a 450-mm-diameter mirror, which will enable a ground sample distance (GSD) of less than 1 meter per pixel in the visible spectrum (VIS) from low Earth orbit (approximately 500 km). It is also possible to retrofit the satellite with a short-wave infrared (SWIR) instrument capable of resolutions below 10 meters per pixel. Data processing will be performed using algorithms developed by Marble Imaging and Scanway. The data and analyses obtained in this way will serve as a valuable source of information for many potential customers in Europe and around the world.
– Our R&D work on the largest optical instrument in the Company’s history is crucial both for the construction of the future satellite constellation in collaboration with Marble Imaging, as well as for Scanway’s leading position among European companies capable of delivering very high-resolution instruments. Similarly to our partnership with Nara Space from South Korea, we look forward to the possibility of expanding the agreement in the future to include additional units based on the solutions we are currently developing for the demonstration satellite. Having a product in our portfolio with proven flight heritage and capable of imaging at a resolution of less than 1 meter per pixel opens up the segment of larger satellites weighing over 100 kg, thereby expanding the Company’s pool of potential customers. We plan to have the telescope flight model ready for delivery to our partner at the turn of 2026 and 2027. – emphasizes Mikołaj Podgórski, COO of Scanway S.A.
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.
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/
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