ICEYE, Supporting Defense and Disaster Prevention with One of the World's Largest Small SAR Satellite Constellations, Delivers "MikroSAR" System to the Polish Armed Forces in Less Than a Year
ICEYE, a leading company in small SAR satellite constellations, delivered the sovereign SAR satellite system "MikroSAR" to the Polish Armed Forces in less than a year from the contract. Successfully putting four satellites into orbit, it supports national security with high-resolution images of up to 25cm.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 12:31
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ICEYE, which supports defense and disaster prevention with one of the world's largest small SAR satellite constellations, has officially delivered the sovereign SAR satellite system "MikroSAR" to the Polish Armed Forces in less than a year since the contract was signed in May 2025. With this system, the manufacturing and orbital deployment of four small SAR satellites were successful, enabling support for rapid and accurate decision-making related to Poland's national security.
This small SAR satellite constellation will be operated by "ARGUS", established by the Polish Ministry of National Defence in 2024. Following a public naming competition, the system was named "POLSARIS (Polish SAR Intelligence System)" for its approachability and as a tribute to Stanisław Lem's novel "Solaris". With the goal of strengthening national security and resilience, the Polish Ministry of National Defence and ICEYE signed a contract totaling approximately 200 million euros in May 2025. Within just 10 months of signing the contract, three small SAR satellites were successfully deployed into orbit as originally stipulated, and commercial operations began just one month later. Furthermore, ICEYE has conducted comprehensive training so that the Polish Armed Forces can operate the system autonomously, and is currently advancing the process towards full implementation in compliance with national defense operational and technical standards.
With this implementation, the Polish Ministry of National Defence secures full reconnaissance capabilities through a state-led satellite system, establishing independence in satellite operations for national defense and security. In addition to acquiring stable observation data regardless of day/night or weather conditions at any location around the globe, leveraging the high-resolution images of up to 25cm provided by ICEYE will realize support for rapid and accurate decision-making concerning national security.
Comment by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland
"The delivery of the POLSARIS satellite radar reconnaissance system to the Polish Armed Forces marks a crucial step in the development of Poland's modern intelligence-gathering capabilities. We are advancing investments in technologies that lead to enhanced security, secured intelligence autonomy, and improved rapid response capabilities. Through the satellite Earth observation system, the Polish Armed Forces will acquire new, strategically important capabilities."
Comment by Rafał Modrzewski, Co-founder and CEO of ICEYE
"We are highly honored that ICEYE can contribute to the enhancement of the Polish Armed Forces' new national defense and reconnaissance capabilities through our small SAR satellites. Reaching the start of operations in less than a year since the contract was signed last year is due to the strong relationship of trust and dedicated collaboration between both parties, and will set a new standard in the space business industry. I am confident that this achievement, accomplished together with the Polish Armed Forces, will become a model case for all of Europe. We believe that even ambitious space programs can be realized at an ideal pace without compromise."
Comment by Col. Leszek Paszkowski, Commander of "ARGUS", Polish Ministry of National Defence
"The commencement of operations for the 'MikroSAR' program is truly a historical turning point for the Polish Armed Forces in establishing state-led satellite reconnaissance capabilities. This goes beyond a mere technological advancement; it fundamentally strengthens our reconnaissance and command support systems in national defense and security. The small SAR satellite technology, which forms the core of the ARGUS system, enables rapid access to highly accurate intelligence under real combat situations, greatly contributing to swift and precise decision-making in national defense."
About ICEYE
ICEYE is a leading company in small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites headquartered in Finland. Owning one of the world's largest Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights and ensures unparalleled access to actionable data day or night, even under severe environmental conditions.
As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries globally, ICEYE provides intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural disaster response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, supporting decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. Besides its Japanese subsidiary, ICEYE operates internationally with bases in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, the UAE, Greece, and the US. Over 900 employees are active based on a shared vision to improve life on Earth by becoming the 'true data provider' in Earth observation.
For more details, please refer to https://www.iceye.com/ja-jp/.
This small SAR satellite constellation will be operated by "ARGUS", established by the Polish Ministry of National Defence in 2024. Following a public naming competition, the system was named "POLSARIS (Polish SAR Intelligence System)" for its approachability and as a tribute to Stanisław Lem's novel "Solaris". With the goal of strengthening national security and resilience, the Polish Ministry of National Defence and ICEYE signed a contract totaling approximately 200 million euros in May 2025. Within just 10 months of signing the contract, three small SAR satellites were successfully deployed into orbit as originally stipulated, and commercial operations began just one month later. Furthermore, ICEYE has conducted comprehensive training so that the Polish Armed Forces can operate the system autonomously, and is currently advancing the process towards full implementation in compliance with national defense operational and technical standards.
With this implementation, the Polish Ministry of National Defence secures full reconnaissance capabilities through a state-led satellite system, establishing independence in satellite operations for national defense and security. In addition to acquiring stable observation data regardless of day/night or weather conditions at any location around the globe, leveraging the high-resolution images of up to 25cm provided by ICEYE will realize support for rapid and accurate decision-making concerning national security.
Comment by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland
"The delivery of the POLSARIS satellite radar reconnaissance system to the Polish Armed Forces marks a crucial step in the development of Poland's modern intelligence-gathering capabilities. We are advancing investments in technologies that lead to enhanced security, secured intelligence autonomy, and improved rapid response capabilities. Through the satellite Earth observation system, the Polish Armed Forces will acquire new, strategically important capabilities."
Comment by Rafał Modrzewski, Co-founder and CEO of ICEYE
"We are highly honored that ICEYE can contribute to the enhancement of the Polish Armed Forces' new national defense and reconnaissance capabilities through our small SAR satellites. Reaching the start of operations in less than a year since the contract was signed last year is due to the strong relationship of trust and dedicated collaboration between both parties, and will set a new standard in the space business industry. I am confident that this achievement, accomplished together with the Polish Armed Forces, will become a model case for all of Europe. We believe that even ambitious space programs can be realized at an ideal pace without compromise."
Comment by Col. Leszek Paszkowski, Commander of "ARGUS", Polish Ministry of National Defence
"The commencement of operations for the 'MikroSAR' program is truly a historical turning point for the Polish Armed Forces in establishing state-led satellite reconnaissance capabilities. This goes beyond a mere technological advancement; it fundamentally strengthens our reconnaissance and command support systems in national defense and security. The small SAR satellite technology, which forms the core of the ARGUS system, enables rapid access to highly accurate intelligence under real combat situations, greatly contributing to swift and precise decision-making in national defense."
About ICEYE
ICEYE is a leading company in small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites headquartered in Finland. Owning one of the world's largest Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights and ensures unparalleled access to actionable data day or night, even under severe environmental conditions.
As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries globally, ICEYE provides intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural disaster response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, supporting decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. Besides its Japanese subsidiary, ICEYE operates internationally with bases in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, the UAE, Greece, and the US. Over 900 employees are active based on a shared vision to improve life on Earth by becoming the 'true data provider' in Earth observation.
For more details, please refer to https://www.iceye.com/ja-jp/.
FAQ
What is ICEYE's MikroSAR system?
It is a sovereign SAR satellite system utilizing small SAR satellites to provide independent, high-resolution reconnaissance capabilities for national defense.
How long did it take to operationalize POLSARIS?
Within 10 months of the May 2025 contract, three satellites were placed in orbit, with operations starting just one month later.
What is the advantage of data acquisition via SAR satellites?
The ability to consistently acquire high-resolution images of up to 25cm, regardless of daylight or weather conditions.