The space sector is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced areas of the economy. Demand for space technologies is being driven by geopolitical and economic instability as well as the climate crisis. The development of Poland’s space sector significantly accelerated after the country joined the European Space Agency (ESA), but the lack of an adopted national space policy means that this potential is not being fully utilized. The absence of clear regulations also hampers bilateral cooperation with other countries.
“Every złoty invested in the space sector returns to the economy several times over. Just look at what’s happening across our eastern border – conducting warfare is impossible without access to space technology. We also saw this during the floods last autumn, when space technologies were used. So we’re not only talking about direct returns on investments in the space sector, but also the broader development of skills and an increase in the level of innovation – not just in companies, but in the entire state and the functioning of public administration,”
explains Paweł Wojtkiewicz, Director of the Space Sector at GMV Poland, in an interview with Newseria.
Poland’s space sector began to grow rapidly after the country joined ESA in 2012. Since then, Poland has gradually increased its involvement – the Ministry of Development and Technology committed an additional €295 million in membership contributions for the 2023–2025 period and signed agreements with ESA for new programs supporting the development of the Polish space sector. More than 90% of the contribution returns to Polish companies and research institutions through ESA project collaboration.
The EU’s flagship space programs currently include the Galileo and EGNOS geolocation systems, the Copernicus Earth observation program, security initiatives in space such as the Space Surveillance and Tracking (EUSST) program, and the secure government satellite communications program GOVSATCOM.
“More areas will be added in the future, but for some time now, the European Commission and ESA have been identifying technologies that are important – or even critical – for the technological independence of the European continent from other countries or continents,”
says Paweł Wojtkiewicz.
“Many Polish companies are working on new technologies to strengthen the EU’s technological independence, which is especially important now, given the many new threats we’re facing. We hope this will be a platform for intensifying international cooperation and a catalyst for accelerating the development of Poland’s space sector.”
Currently, Poland’s space sector comprises more than 400 entities, employing around 15,000 people. Key European space companies and ICT and aviation industry players also have branches in Poland. Cooperation with them is essential for driving innovation in the Polish space sector. However, the lack of a national space policy makes it more difficult to establish clear principles of collaboration.
“Such a program could define the areas in which we want to cooperate and where we can build joint competencies to strengthen the European market,”
explains the director of the Polish branch of GMV.
“All those involved in space policy in Poland are aware that programs like this facilitate and intensify business cooperation between companies from different countries.”
In 2024, the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) warned that seven years after the adoption of the Polish Space Strategy, no system had been created to coordinate or monitor the implementation of its goals. According to the auditors, Poland lacks a National Space Program and key legal acts for the sector. The absence of a space activity law significantly weakens the conditions for the development of the space sector and contributes to Poland’s failure to meet international obligations under the UN Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
“I believe there is growing awareness of the need to eliminate the barriers that currently hinder cooperation. On the other hand, ESA and European Commission programs strongly encourage international cooperation – in fact, it’s often a prerequisite for carrying out ambitious projects,”
says the expert.
Poland’s Space Strategy assumes that international cooperation will primarily be carried out within the EU’s EUSST consortium, alongside countries like Germany, France, and Spain. As Poland is still working toward becoming a global player in the space sector, collaboration with more experienced nations offers clear benefits. Spain, for example, ranks among the top 10 spacefaring nations, according to the Spanish Space Agency.
“There are Polish companies working with Spanish firms. Spanish companies also have branches in Poland and collaborate with local companies – often small and medium-sized enterprises – for whom such cooperation can be a springboard for entering larger European projects,”
explains Paweł Wojtkiewicz.
According to the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), the Spanish space sector focuses mainly on launch systems, Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, and space security. The largest Spanish space companies include Airbus Defence and Space, GMV, AVS Added Value Solutions, and Satlantis.
“Working with a more experienced partner from Spain offers many benefits – firstly, learning how such projects are implemented, and secondly, expanding international networks. After completing a joint contract, Polish companies can take part in other ESA or EU projects, where international collaboration is often required. So why shouldn’t Polish-Spanish cooperation become the catalyst for the development of Poland’s space sector?”
concludes Wojtkiewicz.
