Poland in space: Profits, public investment, and international ambitions

Space – as a domain of scientific exploration but also of business – has, over the past year, broken out of universities and specialist firms and entered the public consciousness more decisively than before. The very term was even chosen by Polish internet users as the Word of the Year 2025 in a plebiscite organized by the Institute of the Polish Language at the University of Warsaw and the Polish Language Foundation. Undoubtedly, this was driven by the space mission involving Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, although reactions and assessments varied widely, ranging from enthusiasm to criticism.

Interest in the technological and service potential of Poland’s space sector has also grown. The government decided to increase its contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA): at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting in November, it pledged a total of EUR 731 million for the next three years – an increase of around EUR 250 million. Political will has also emerged, along with initial discussions, on the possibility of opening a local ESA center in Poland focused on security.

More recently, the first domestic companies from the space sector have also begun to break through amid strong international competition.

The financial health of space-sector companies

According to Paweł Pacek, Director of the Department of New Technologies at the Industrial Development Agency (ARP) and a board member of the Employers’ Association of the Space Sector, 2025 was – based on ARP’s analyses – the first year after which one can confidently say that Poland’s space industry is profitable.

“The combined financial results of the 30 most important companies in 2025 are positive. The sector is therefore moving from the research-and-development stage, focused on building capabilities, to the commercialization of products and services. In practical terms, this means that Polish companies are now regularly included in European and global projects – often even as consortium leaders,” says Mr. Pacek.

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His observations suggest that the largest companies are gradually beginning to outgrow the local market, which remains highly fragmented.

“In the near future, consolidation moves can be expected. While it is still too early to speak of specifics, the corridors are already buzzing with the first signals of acquisition ambitions. This would attract large investors to the industry,” Mr. Pacek adds.

Consolidation – a new challenge for the sector?

A clearer picture of the Polish space sector’s actual condition emerges from a new report, Polish Space Sector 2025, published by ARP. Analysts estimate that around 170 companies and entities operate in Poland that “intentionally and on a recurring basis conduct activities in the field of space technologies or services based on their use.” Data from international databases, such as ESA STAR, point to figures several times higher, but these also include companies, research institutions, and operators that carry out space contracts only on an occasional basis.

In Poland, small firms dominate in terms of numbers. Most of them rely on domestic capital: 87.1% of member companies of the Employers’ Association of the Space Sector are Polish-owned.

Expert's perspective

A moment of transformation for the space industry

In the coming years, ARP will focus on strengthening the space sector through investment support, skills development, and the integration of the industry ecosystem. Of critical importance is the effective use of funds available under European Space Agency programs, whose total value for Poland now stands at around EUR 730 million, as well as the implementation of large national programs that have already been launched. The agency sees its role as that of a bridge between government, business, and academia – supporting the scaling of projects, the commercialization of technologies, and the building of a strong position for Polish companies in European and global value chains within the space sector.

Łukasz Kotapski

Vice President of the Industrial Development Agency

The market’s wait for public procurement

Paweł Pacek notes that the role of the state in shaping the market has increased markedly in recent months.

“On the one hand, Poland’s declared contribution to ESA has risen significantly; on the other, large public procurement contracts have emerged. The largest in the sector’s history is last year’s agreement between the Ministry of National Defence and ICEYE, worth PLN 860 million gross, for the delivery of three radar satellites to the Polish Armed Forces under the MikroSAR program. I believe public administration has become aware of how useful space technologies are today – above all, satellite data,” Mr. Pacek adds.

Expert's perspective

Public and political interest in space

Let us remember that the space sector is not only about spectacular space exploration, human spaceflight, or rocket construction, but also about mission management systems, communications, Earth observation and imaging, and more. Many space technologies are adapted by other industries, and some solutions even make their way into everyday use.
I believe that increasing Poland’s contribution to ESA was the right political decision. Of course, one could argue that companies may not be able to fully absorb these funds; nevertheless, such a contribution brings additional negotiating leverage. A case in point is the political will to establish a local ESA center in Poland focused on security. Much will depend on the exact scope of this center’s activities: cybersecurity, technological security, or security in a wartime context? While ESA is statutorily prohibited from developing military solutions, it is allowed to work on defense-related ones. In any case, the development of local research, technological, and engineering capabilities will always be part of the equation.

Maciej Myśliwiec

Owner, Space Agency

What lies ahead in the coming years?

According to the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, the space economy could grow from USD 630 billion in 2023 to USD 1.8 trillion by 2035, implying an annual growth rate of 9%. This strong expansion is being driven, among other factors, by falling rocket launch costs, innovation in components and software, greater investment diversification, and rising public enthusiasm for the development of outer space.

According to ARP analysts, the authors of the Polish Space Sector 2025 report, the impact of these global trends will also be felt in Poland.

Expert's perspective

Stronger capabilities, more lucrative contracts

Poland’s ESA contribution for 2026–2028 strengthens the country’s presence in programs where technologies of strategic importance are developed and confirms that a focus on Earth observation—including the ground segment—is a rational development path. A case in point is the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the world’s largest Earth observation data ecosystem, in which CloudFerro is responsible for managing infrastructure exceeding 100 petabytes of data.
This experience also shows what the industry needs to grow in a stable and predictable way. Consistency in decision-making is crucial—linking the allocation of the ESA contribution with national priorities and implementation mechanisms.

Stanisław Krzyżanowski

Director of Strategy and New Business Development, CloudFerro

Key Takeaways

1. According to analyses by the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), presented by Paweł Pacek, Director of the Department of New Technologies, 2025 was the first year in which Poland’s space industry was recognized as profitable. The combined financial result of the sector’s thirty key companies in 2025 was positive.
2. The Polish Space Sector 2025 report, published by ARP, estimates that around 170 entities in Poland intentionally and repeatedly operate in the field of space technologies or in services based on their use.
3. Polish companies in the space sector have developed competencies in key technological areas. The most important include precision mechanics, information technology, electronics and telecommunications, as well as the downstream segment, which focuses on the commercial use of satellite data and services.