The launch of strategic cooperation between Thorium Space and Creotech Instruments was announced in April. The companies concluded a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets the direction for joint activities of both companies in the construction of the first Polish telecommunications satellite.

The representatives of the two companies revealed that the aim of the partnership is to develop modern technologies that will ensure Poland's sovereignty in the field of satellite communications, strengthen national security and enable the construction and operation of a national telecommunications system in space.

'There are three areas that provide services in space and can generate profit. These are Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications. Telecommunications currently provides 85 percent of profits for space companies based on Earth, which is why our cooperation is so important for both companies, but also for the entire Polish ecosystem', Creotech CEO Grzegorz Brona said at the conference.

"We are aiming for high, geostationary orbit - these are one-ton satellites located far from Earth, they have to withstand high radiation in these orbits', he added.

He pointed out that this is a difficult environment, a big challenge, but in fact the next step for Creotech when it comes to satellite platforms.

'In turn, in the area closer to Earth - from 400 km to 1000 km - where Starlink flies, where Elon Musk flies, we want to have the ability to build similar satellites, albeit probably not on this scale', Brona said.

'However, within the framework of large European projects, for example the IRIS² project announced a few months ago, which will to build an equivalent of the Starlink network in the area of at least Europe - we can start to play a certain role, if we really start working together now', he added.

According to the press release, Thorium Space is contributing to the project experience in the design and integration of satellite communication systems, including antennas with electronically steered beams, its own beamformer systems and digital platforms for beamforming. The company also develops electronic, mechanical and software technologies, and its offer includes 'satellite as a service' - i.e. satellite communication in a package with proprietary ground terminals.

Creotech Instruments specializes in the design, integration and testing of small satellites based on its proprietary HyperSat satellite platform. It manufactures complete systems and subsystems, which are part of large space missions and dedicated satellite systems.

Under the new agreement, representatives of the companies committed to cooperation in the areas that include the construction and development of satellite platforms for the construction of telecommunications satellites in MEO and GEO orbits, and the development of sensors and optical communication systems.

There are also plans to develop software and infrastructure for safe control of satellites and communication with ground stations. A key part of the agreement is the implementation of the Polish telecommunications satellite project, including cooperation with public institutions and the government in order to ensure compliance of the technology with the state interests.

According to Grzegorz Brona, the EU may choose European products more often due to the American customs policy.

'Under the rule of Donald Trump, America has lost a lot in terms of stability and cooperation. Many entities, many countries have simply stopped trusting America, decisions can change from day to day - not necessarily only with regard to tariffs, but also to access to technology, to the security of these technologies', Grzegorz Brona told PAP Biznes.

'The US has shown that one person, the president of America, can make such changes that they can practically reverse certain decisions of the previous administration. Up until now, this has not happened. Up until now, America has been very stable in terms of strategic decisions', he added.

He pointed out that this of course opens the door to enter the entire technology supply chain for other countries, which may be more stable, more neutral.

'Supplies can take place either within the EU - of course, now the European Union will definitely choose European products more often than before - or as part of deliveries to third countries, because a significant number of countries will probably get burned by Trump's current policies', he said.

'This means that Asian countries, African countries may be returning from these large suppliers like the US. China may turn around and look at more neutral, smaller countries, and Poland is a neutral country for many', added Grzegorz Brona.

Anna Lalek (PAP Biznes)

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