Polish optical space technology leader Scanway has signed a landmark agreement with a major South Asian space company to deliver a series of high-resolution Earth observation telescopes for the partner’s satellite constellation. The deal is valued at €9.0 million (approximately PLN 38.4 million, based on the June 20 NBP exchange rate) and is scheduled for completion by 2027. The first telescope will be delivered in 2026. The contract significantly boosts Scanway’s order backlog, accelerates its development, and strengthens its position as one of Europe’s top optical tech suppliers for space.
Largest Telescope Class Developed by Scanway to Date
The telescopes to be supplied under the agreement represent the largest class of optical instruments ever developed by the company, built upon components refined in previous projects of similar technological complexity.
Scanway expects the revenue to be distributed across the next three years:
- approx. 25% in 2025,
- 50% in 2026, and
- 25% in 2027.
The agreement includes a down payment that exceeds half of Scanway’s total 2024 revenue, making it the largest contract in the company’s history in terms of both volume and total value.
The new partner is described as a leading space sector entity in South Asia, specializing in hyperspectral imaging satellite constellations and satellite data processing.
Strategic Milestone for Scanway
“We’ve just signed a contract with what we consider an ideal partner — a constellation-focused company developing solutions with top-tier imaging resolution and advanced optics, while actively collaborating with the Western ecosystem,” said Jędrzej Kowalewski, CEO of Scanway S.A.
“With offices in India and the U.S., they operate in markets we already have experience in and are increasingly targeting. This agreement will strongly accelerate our development and significantly boost our order backlog. With a total value of over PLN 38 million, it’s the largest contract in our history.”
Details Remain Confidential
The contract covers the delivery of a series of high-resolution telescopes for the partner’s upcoming satellite constellation. However, details such as the number of instruments, their technical specifications, the client’s name, and constellation development plans remain confidential.
“The first optical instrument will be delivered in 2026,” added Mikołaj Podgórski, COO and co-founder of Scanway.
“These telescopes will be based on our most advanced designs to date and incorporate technologies developed through similar projects. Delivering a project of this scale — even larger than our CAMILA mission — is a challenge, but one we are ready for. That we finalized this agreement in just about three months speaks volumes about how fast the New Space sector can move when two like-minded companies meet.”
Growing Opportunities in Asia
“We see growing sales opportunities in the Asian market,” noted Michał Zięba, CTO of Scanway.
“Companies in that region increasingly view suppliers from our part of Europe as reliable providers of high-end space technology. We’re already proving this through our expanding contract with Nara Space of South Korea. Last year, we highlighted how Europe stands to benefit from a potential shift in U.S. leadership — and we continue to see more opportunities than risks. As global supply chains seek independence from the U.S., Europe and agile New Space firms like Scanway stand to gain.”
Proven Track Record in Europe and Beyond
Scanway is deeply involved in supporting the space economy, with its products featured in two of the most important Polish and European space missions of 2024:
- The company delivered the largest telescope in Polish space industry history to the EagleEye satellite.
- It also supplied camera systems for the inaugural flight of Europe’s newest launch vehicle, Ariane 6.
Scanway is executing global constellation projects, including:
- A €2.7 million contract with Nara Space (South Korea), and
- A €3.2 million project with Marble Imaging (Germany).
Both contracts have expansion potential, as reflected by a follow-up order from Nara Space for additional instruments for its planned satellite constellation.
Source: Manager+
