Since 2012, Poland has been a member of the European Space Agency, accelerating the development of the Polish space sector. The Polish Space Agency (POLSA) was established in 2014 and functions as an executive agency under the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

The agency’s primary task is to support the Polish space industry by bridging the worlds of business and science. POLSA also assists entrepreneurs in securing funding from the European Space Agency (ESA). An essential aspect of POLSA’s activities is the promotion of satellite technology development for practical applications in everyday life, including communication, navigation, environmental monitoring, and weather forecasting.

Thanks to membership in ESA, Poland has emerged as a significant and recognizable partner in European space programs, contributing to research and the development of space and satellite technologies. Polish scientists are establishing contacts with new partners, working on cutting-edge technologies, and gaining financial support and access to ESA infrastructure.

An increase of 295 million euros in Poland’s contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) between 2023 and 2025 will result in tangible benefits for the country. This funding will be allocated to programs and activities aimed at propelling the Polish economy to a higher level of development. Furthermore, preparations are underway for a Polish mission to the International Space Station (ISS), during which a series of scientific experiments will be conducted. This provides a distinctive opportunity for Polish companies to acquire valuable experience, showcasing the exceptional quality of Polish products. Additionally, a Polish astronaut will be part of this groundbreaking mission.

Poland is set to have its second representative in space, following the trailblazing footsteps of General Miroslaw Hermaszewski (1941-2022), who etched his name in history over 45 years ago. Hermaszewski embarked on his space odyssey on June 27, 1978, aboard the Soviet Soyuz 30 spacecraft. The groundbreaking mission spanned 8 days and included completing 126 orbits around the Earth.

On November 23, 2022, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the selection of Sławosz Uznański, an accomplished astronaut and engineer holding a Ph.D. in electronics, for the esteemed position of ESA Astronaut Reserve. Uznański emerged victorious from a highly competitive field, surpassing more than 22,000 candidates from various European nations in a rigorous qualification process that spanned a year and a half. He is a candidate for the Polish ISS mission.

Key figures in the Polish space sector:

• 450+ registered entities
• 200+ entities daily collaborate with ESA
• small and medium-sized enterprises constitute 80%
• approximately 15 thousand employed in the sector
• over 1,500 engineers contribute to the workforce
• 540+ projects for ESA, totaling about 190 million EUR
• involvement in 80 ESA and NASA missions
• development of 100 new technologies
• Polish contribution to ESA (2023-2025) <€44 million annually (mandatory and optional)
• geographical return factor ~ 94%