Innovations reaching for the stars

The Polish space industry is dominated by small and medium-sized companies, and at its centre there are scientific institutes which can pride themselves on their experience in space research – including research of Mars and the Sun. The operation of the industry is supported by the Polish Space Strategy, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2017. The document presents a strategy of operations for the years 2017 – 2030 and sets specific goals. The strategy assumes that the Polish sector will be competitive on the European market and that the Polish public administration will use satellite data for its own activities. Private companies will also benefit from it. They will export their services to foreign markets and offer them in the country. Increasing security and defence is also an important premise. We can achieve it by accessing the satellite infrastructure.

The space industry is an important and promising sector of the economy for Poland, as evidenced by the competition "Konstelacje ARP" [Constellations of the Industrial Development Agency] that has been organised for 3 years. This year, the winner of the competition organised by the Industrial Development Agency was the company KP Labs from Gliwice, which wants to launch its own satellite – Intuition-1 – by 2023 . The domestic space industry is developing steadily. This is due to Poland's participation in the European Space Agency (ESA) and funding from European Commission's programmes (Copernicus, Galileo). Research institutions participate in the Horizon Europe funding programmes – including the new one, whose funds are alloted for 2021 – 2027. By bringing together the worlds of business and science, the protective umbrella over the entire sector is spread by the POLSA Polish Space Agency. It conducts research projects in line with the Polish Space Strategy and develops satellite technology for the benefit of agriculture, transport and other economic sectors.

Expo 2020 in Dubai will be a unique opportunity to showcase the potential and achievements of the Polish space industry. The Polish Investment and Trade Agency is responsible for our participation in the World Expo. The Polish Investment and Trade Agency has prepared a rich Economic Programme that will help the space industry export services and attract new investors to our country.

The Poland Pavilion will serve as the venue for the presentation of Poland at Expo 2020. The Polish Table constructed out of 120 modules of milled wood valued in the Arab countries is at its centre. The installation also includes unique special modules. Those are original, artistic works made by leading Polish artists and craftsmen who specialise in creating using specific materials or particular techniques. The author of one of the modules is a space industry company – PIAP Space. The aluminium module of the Polish Table was made using 3D printing technology. It is a material widely used in the space industry. 3D printing technology, in turn, is the process of creating three-dimensional, physical objects based on a computer model. In space applications, 3D metal printing is only just coming into use. The appeal of this technology lies in its ability to create structures that combine lightness with strength. The operation of PIAP Space was initiated by PIAP Institute's team. The company develops technologies and products that involve satellite integration and testing devices, active space debris removal, in-orbit satellite servicing, human-robot interaction, and vision systems and mechanisms.

The space industry, which is driven by the growing needs connected with space exploration, requires a dynamic development of the latest technologies. The Polish space industry wants to cooperate with foreign companies to realise its full potential. The answer to those challenges will be the "Innovations and trends in the space and aviation sector" economic seminar organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. The aim of the planned event is to present the possibilities of development through direct foreign investments or cooperation with Polish scientific institutions and technological institutes. The seminar will take place on 27 October 2021 in Dubai and can also be attended remotely via an app.

Expo 2020 will be held until 31 March 2022. Postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic Expo 2020's slogan is 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'. The organisers of the first World Expo in an Arab country are encouraging joint action and dialogue.