Poland deploys final three MikroGlob satellites to complete military constellation

Orbital insertion from California

Three Polish optoelectronic microsatellites, designated MikroGlob-2, MikroGlob-3, and MikroGlob-4, reached sun-synchronous orbit after launching from Vandenberg Space Base in California on 1 October 2026. The spacecraft were carried into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Vehicle separation and initial orbital activation occurred at approximately 21:30 on the evening of the launch. On 2 October 2026, satellite manufacturer Creotech Instruments confirmed that mission controllers established two-way communication with all three spacecraft and successfully received telemetry data from their onboard subsystems.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the operation's progress on Friday on the social media platform X.

Another success of our space programme. MikroGLOB microsatellites No. 2, 3, and 4 have been placed in orbit. Communication established.

He stated that the deployment strengthens national security by expanding Poland's capacity to gather intelligence and imagery from orbit.

Constellation architecture and payload specifications

The arrival of the three spacecraft completes the four-unit constellation planned under the MikroGlob programme. The initial spacecraft, MikroGlob-1, reached orbit on 7 July 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-17 mission. Mission teams established two-way communication and collected telemetry from MikroGlob-1 several days after that launch. In July 2026, the Armament Agency confirmed that in-orbit testing for MikroGlob-1 successfully activated both its optical payload and its onboard ion propulsion unit.

All four satellites in the constellation utilize Creotech's HyperSat platform. The spacecraft carry optoelectronic instruments capable of acquiring Earth observation imagery across visible light and near-infrared spectral bands. In addition to the orbital assets, the project encompasses an integrated ground segment tasked with mission planning, satellite control, and raw image data processing for end users.

Manufacturing contract and commissioning phase

The satellite programme is governed by a procurement contract signed on 20 December 2024 between Creotech Instruments and the State Treasury's Armament Agency. The agreement holds a total value of 556.68 million PLN gross, equivalent to approximately 453 million PLN net. Under this contract, the Polish aerospace company is tasked with building, launching, and delivering the complete Satellite Earth Observation System comprising four operational microsatellites.

Following the establishment of contact on 2 October 2026, Creotech initiated the formal commissioning phase for MikroGlob-2, MikroGlob-3, and MikroGlob-4. During this phase, engineering teams run in-orbit subsystem configurations, health checks, and calibration sequences for each satellite payload. Completing this commissioning process across all four orbiters is required before the entire satellite infrastructure can be submitted for official state acceptance.

Delivery schedule and operational role

The development of the MikroGlob Earth Observation System follows the European Collaboration for Space Standardization methodology, covering phases B, C, D, and E1. According to the contract schedule, Creotech must complete all remaining in-orbit testing and formally transfer the complete operational system to the Polish Ministry of National Defence by 31 March 2027.

Once fully handed over to the military, the constellation will supply high-resolution optical imagery to the Polish Armed Forces. The resulting data stream is intended to support national defence intelligence, border surveillance, security operations, and broader administrative tasks across Polish public institutions.