The satellites, developed entirely with domestic technology, will be part of the Piast project, led by the Warsaw-based Military University of Technology (WAT).
A key objective of the mission, scheduled for September, is to test laser communication between nanosatellites and Earth.
Major test for laser communication
As Poland moves forward with its space ambitions, the upcoming satellite launch will be a major test for laser communication technology, potentially paving the way for new defense and civilian applications.
Laser communication is designed to be highly secure, making it difficult for adversaries to intercept or disrupt transmissions.
Unlike traditional radio-based communication, which can be jammed or detected, laser-based signals use beams of light to transmit data in a way that remains undetectable and interference-free.
'It cannot be jammed, intercepted or detected'
"Radio silence is a reality on today’s battlefield," said Col. Jacek Wojtanowski, an optoelectronics specialist at WAT, speaking to Poland’s PAP news agency.
He added: "The war in Ukraine has shown that using radio emitters, such as radars, makes them easy targets. Once activated, they can be quickly located and destroyed by missiles or drones. Laser communication offers a solution—it cannot be jammed, intercepted or detected."
The upcoming satellite launch will allow researchers to test this technology in space.
"The satellites will connect with each other using lasers at very high data transfer speeds," explained Wojtanowski. "One satellite gathers information and then 'drops' it to Earth. With lasers, we can transmit any type of data—images, sound, or files in any format."
'It won’t work if there’s an obstacle'
Beyond military applications, laser communication could also prove valuable in civilian contexts.
Wojtanowski said that it is particularly useful in environments requiring secure and rapid data transmission, such as business centers where critical decisions are made.
However, it does have limitations. "For laser communication to work, there must be a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver," he explained. "It won’t work if there’s an obstacle, such as a mountain, in the way."
Polish-built laser weapon system
WAT has also been developing laser weapon systems, successfully testing a Polish-built system that can destroy enemy drones mid-flight, the PAP news agency reported.
According to Wojtanowski, lasers are becoming an increasingly viable alternative to conventional weapons.
"Developers never imagined the number of military applications lasers would have," he said. "If we can focus a high-powered laser beam on a target, we can generate enough energy to burn through and destroy it—whether it’s a drone or another object that shouldn’t be there."
Laser weapons offer distinct advantages, he added.
"Destroying a drone with conventional weapons can be risky—gunfire is noisy and can cause panic," he explained. "A laser weapon is silent, requires no physical ammunition, and is extremely cost-effective. Each shot costs just a few dollars."
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP