Author: Scanway
Publication date:
Scanway, a leading Polish technology company in the New Space sector, will support projects under the Small Lunar Missions program launched by the European Space Agency (ESA). A total of 62 projects were submitted to the program, and 7 of them qualified for the preliminary Phase A. Scanway is a consortium partner in two of these projects: Mani and LUMI. Work on the lunar missions is scheduled to begin in December 2024, and the Mani project has just launched. This is another step by Scanway aimed at expanding its product portfolio with solutions that go beyond the Earth Observation (EO) domain and at participating in the growing lunar economy.
- Mani is a project aimed at creating a photometric map of the Moon’s surface with the highest spatial resolution to date—on the micrometer scale. Improving the accuracy of the Moon’s topographic maps will allow for better preparation of exploration missions, and verifying the photometric potential of this solution may support future missions to more distant regions of space.
- LUMI is a project that will focus on high-resolution imaging of the Moon’s surface, enabling the creation of digital elevation models of the South Pole region. These models will provide valuable data for future landings and operations on the Moon’s surface for ESA, NASA, and commercial and institutional entities.
- The Mani and LUMI projects are being carried out as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Terrae Novae program, which aims to advance space exploration, including exploration of the Moon. Ultimately, ESA will select up to two projects for its Small Lunar Missions program, which are scheduled to be launched within 4 to 4.5 years, with the total cost of each project not exceeding 50 million EUR.
- In 2023, Poland increased its contribution to ESA’s European Exploration Envelope Program (E3P) by 100 million EUR; this program is a key operational tool for the strategic priorities set by the Terrae Novae program.
– Two innovative projects by international consortia involving Scanway have been selected by the European Space Agency to prepare for the preliminary Phase A of lunar missions. Being among the select group of 7 projects chosen from 62 submissions is a great honor and, at the same time, provides significant exposure to the benefits of the Small Lunar Missions Program as part of the broader Terrae Novae initiative focused on the exploration of the cosmos, including the Moon. We will help build an international ecosystem of collaboration between private companies and scientific institutions, including entities such as TRL Space from the Czech Republic and the Danish company Space Inventor, with whom we signed a cooperation agreement in August of this year. The exchange of know-how, building relationships, and joint initiatives—which have the potential to be sent to the Moon within the next four years with a budget of up to 50 mln EUR for each project—are the key benefits we identify through our participation in the program— says Mikołaj Podgórski, COO and co-founder of Scanway S.A.
The Mani Project
Mani is a lunar orbiter mission that will map the Moon’s surface with the highest spatial resolution to date. Thanks to an exploration strategy based on polygonal photometric mapping, the project can provide subpixel-level information about the microstructure of the Moon’s surface at the micrometer scale, as well as significantly improve elevation maps. This will facilitate future exploration missions and reduce their risks, while also opening the door to new scientific research by providing valuable data that complements existing orbital datasets for the lunar surface. Confirming the potential of the photometric approach could also support future exploration missions, including those to more distant regions of space. Improved quantification of the Moon’s reflectance function will also enhance Earth observations by using the Moon as a calibration source, as well as improve Earth climate models.
The project consists of three entities: the consortium leader, the University of Copenhagen, and consortium members Scanway S.A. and Space Inventor. The project also envisions the participation and advisory support of eight partners, who will serve as suppliers of selected solutions to the University of Copenhagen and Space Inventor. The budget for the project’s initial Phase A, funded by ESA, is 150,000 EUR, of which approximately 30% will go to Scanway; the implementation schedule is 6 months.
The LUMI Project
LUMI (Lunar Mapper and Inspector) is designed to capture high-resolution images of the Moon’s surface from multiple viewing angles, which will enable the creation of improved digital elevation models of the South Pole region. These models will support landings, mission planning, and surface operations for ESA, NASA, and other institutional and commercial missions. Thanks to its multifunctional propulsion system, LUMI will utilize a challenging orbit with a low perigee and high eccentricity to achieve its high-resolution observation goals. The planned intensive exploration of the Moon requires advanced remote imaging systems similar to the technologies used in Earth observation satellites. LUMI, as a mission that is easy to replicate and based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, will meet this need.
The project consists of 8 entities: the consortium leader, TRL Space from the Czech Republic, and consortium members Scanway S.A., CrystalSpace, Tartu Observatory, Tyvak, RCAES, Dawn Aerospace, and ZAITRA. The budget for Phase A of the project, funded by ESA, is 150,000 EUR, and the implementation schedule is 6 months.
– The Mani and LUMI projects align perfectly with Terrae Novae’s goals, as they can provide both innovative technological solutions and the scientific data necessary for future space missions. The plan to complete the entire project within four years, from the initial Phase A to the satellite launch, is an ambitious effort to develop Europe’s exploration capabilities, and we are delighted to be part of two of the seven projects that have a chance to advance to the next stages. The experience that the European space sector will gain in this way will be of great importance for strengthening Europe’s role in space exploration, including the strategic direction related to lunar research and plans to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon’s surface “—says Oskar Zdunek, Business Development Manager at Scanway S.A.”
According to a Euroconsult report, investment in lunar missions is expected to rise from $11 billion in 2023 to nearly $17 billion in 2032. Plans by major countries, such as the U.S. and China, to establish a permanent presence on the Moon are driving global investment in crewed, observation, and robotic missions that will build critical orbital and transportation infrastructure.
Scanway S.A. has been actively supporting the development of the space economy for several years. The company’s optical solutions have been incorporated into the most important European and Polish space missions of 2024. The company is executing some of Poland’s largest contracts for space equipment (including for commercial clients) and is a key consortium member in Poland’s largest space projects (including EagleEye and PIAST). In July of this year, the company deployed its equipment (the Scanway Camera System) on the maiden flight of Europe’s largest launch vehicle—Ariane 6.
About Scanway
Scanway S.A. is a Polish company that has been in business for 8 years. It is one of only a dozen or so companies worldwide to have developed a complete line of optoelectronic products for Earth observation from orbit. The company carries out key contracts—among the largest in Poland—for space equipment, including for commercial clients. It also operates STAR VIBE, Poland’s longest-operating optical observation satellite.
Scanway S.A. specializes in the optical processing chain, which includes: acquisition, processing, and analysis of image data, as well as the prediction of events based on that data. In the Space business 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. The company strives to provide its customers with full access to key optical data, which today is driving the development of the global space industry to the greatest extent.
Scanway’s optical solutions were featured in the most important European and Polish space missions of 2024. It was the only Polish company to include its equipment (the Scanway Camera System) on the maiden flight of Europe’s largest launch vehicle—Ariane 6. The company also supplied a key component—Poland’s largest-ever telescope, weighing approximately 10 kg (SOP200)—for EagleEye, the largest satellite Poland has ever launched into space.
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