Scanway has signed a cooperation agreement with a client from the U.S. market for the delivery of a new class of optical instruments to a satellite constellation being developed by the partner. The agreement also provides for an agreed profit-sharing mechanism related to the potential commercialization of data captured by the Company’s telescope under a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. According to the Company’s estimates, the value of the agreement may reach approximately USD 4.3 million (around PLN 15.5 million based on the NBP exchange rate as of January 22). This amount relates to payments for the delivery of the first optical instrument, which is planned to be delivered to the client within 24 months from the operational launch of the project. The agreement signed today is strategic in nature, significantly affecting the level of the backlog (order book) as well as the development and financial prospects of the Polish company.
For the first time, Scanway will develop a new-class telescope integrating several cameras operating across different wavelength ranges, to be used in an Earth observation satellite constellation.
The Company’s remuneration will be paid in tranches following the acceptance of defined project milestones. In addition, Scanway expects inflows from the commercialization of data generated by its optical instrument, enabling the creation of stable and recurring revenue streams.
The new partner is an experienced U.S.-based entity specializing in the design and execution of large-scale space missions, including satellite operations for commercial customers.
“The cooperation agreement signed today with a U.S. client provides the foundation for the execution of subsequent activities and operational tasks on the Company’s side, the completion of which will trigger the release of individual payment tranches. This is another constellation-type contract, and we view it as the beginning of a long-term partnership. For the first time, we will deliver a telescope project integrating several cameras operating in different spectral ranges. Acquiring new technological competencies will enable us to enter new markets, further develop our product portfolio, and strengthen cooperation with space-sector entities in the United States,” said Mikołaj Podgórski, COO of Scanway S.A. “The instruments we deliver will be used in the partner’s Earth observation satellite constellation, based on a larger number of smaller units. This approach is the essence of New Space,” he added.
The agreement also includes plans for the commercialization of data recorded by the Scanway telescope used within the satellite constellation. The data will be made available to international customers under a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model based on an agreed profit-sharing arrangement, under which the Company is entitled to a percentage of profits from the very first commercialized data package. In line with market practice, this model provides customers with access to satellite data streams via subscription or long-term contracts, without the need to incur the costs of building and maintaining their own satellite infrastructure. Financing of subsequent optical instruments is planned through co-financing with the Partner, including funds generated from the DaaS model.
“From the perspective of Scanway S.A., the Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model has the potential to generate stable and recurring revenue streams that, in the long term, may exceed the value of the entire satellite. Growing demand for satellite data means that the DaaS model will become a natural path for monetizing services within the global New Space ecosystem, strengthening the downstream segment as the most profitable part of the space sector. I am pleased that we are gradually building our position in this area—following the contract for lunar data processing for ESA, we are adding another project with the potential to generate revenues from the sale of data recorded by Scanway’s optical instrument,” explained Jędrzej Kowalewski, President of the Management Board of Scanway S.A. “The agreement signed today directly supports the execution of the ‘Scanway S.A. Strategy for 2026–2028,’ particularly by strengthening and commercializing the Company’s competencies in building a full optical data chain—the so-called APAP—from acquisition, through processing and analytics, to event prediction based on the data. In my view, today’s contract is of significant importance to the Company’s financial and development prospects,” he concluded.
Detailed information regarding the number of delivered optical instruments, their technical parameters, the client’s name, and the development plans for the entire constellation are subject to trade secrecy and constitute confidential information. The Company’s partner is a U.S.-based space-sector entity specializing in satellite technologies, including the design and manufacture of components and complete satellites. The partner has an experienced management and engineering team with many years of expertise in satellite design, integration, testing, and operations for both commercial customers and government institutions.
Scanway S.A. has been actively supporting the development of the space economy for years and is currently a leading exporter of space technologies in Poland. The Company is executing constellation projects for global clients, including Nara Space from South Korea (EUR 2.7 million), Marble Imaging from Germany (EUR 3.2 million), and a client from Asia (EUR 9.0 million), with all ongoing projects having expansion potential. The Company also possesses competencies in designing optical instruments for deep-space missions, including lunar missions. It will be the first domestic company to deliver an optical instrument for a commercial lunar mission. In addition, Scanway will develop a European system for processing lunar satellite data and may connect Europe with the U.S. Artemis lunar program—the largest and most advanced program of its kind in the world.
Scanway S.A.’s long-term strategic ambition is to enter the global top tier of the largest commercial optical payload integrators. The key objective by the end of 2028 is to achieve a position as one of the largest optical payload integrators in Europe.
Source: CEO.com.pl
