Scanway, known for its observational technology and machine vision systems, previously developed a telescope for Poland's largest satellite, EagleEye, built by Creotech Instruments, currently awaiting launch into the orbit. Scanway's cameras have also been deployed on the recently launched European Ariane 6 rocket.
In collaboration with German company Marble Imaging, Scanway is currently engaged in the SEMOViS project, funded by ESA under the InCubed program. This initiative is part of ESA's optional programs, to which Poland subscribed in 2023.
As part of this project, Scanway will provide a telescope with a ground sampling distance (GSD) of less than 1 meter per pixel, operating in the visible spectrum (VIS). Additionally, there is potential to equip the satellite with a secondary optical instrument.
The telescope will deliver a resolution of less than 1 meter from an orbit approximately 500 km above Earth. The 100 kg satellite is scheduled for launch between late 2025 and early 2026.
"The telescope we will deliver for the demonstrator satellite will be about twice the size of the one we used in the EagleEye project, which is the largest satellite in the history of the Polish space sector," said Mikołaj Podgórski, COO and co-founder of Scanway.
The total project funding from ESA amounts to EUR 3.94 million, with EUR 3.2 million allocated to Scanway and EUR 740,000 to Marble Imaging. Scanway expects to receive approximately EUR 1.6 million in 2024 and another EUR 1.6 million over 2025 and 2026 from this contract.
(jh)
Source: PAP