Polish space mission “in a difficult situation”

On 16 August, the largest and most advanced Polish satellite to date, EagleEye, or “Oko Orła”, was launched into orbit on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It was built by a consortium of three entities – Creotech Instruments SA, Scanway SA and the Polish Academy of Sciences Space Research Centre. Thanks to the telescope mounted on board, the device is to observe the Earth with high resolution. The instrument is to have numerous applications, including those related to national security.

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On August 25, it was reported that there were “significant problems” with the satellite's communication. In a recent statement, Creotech, the company that built the satellite, said that the mission was in a difficult situation, but that it did not consider it lost.

One of the alleged causes of the disruptions could have been an incorrect orbit. As the company reported, “the problem related to the satellite's positioning has been solved with high probability”. “Thanks to the calculations carried out, using data from the telemetry sent by EagleEye (before the loss of communication), it was possible to precisely determine the expected orbit of the object. This orbit was then verified by observations with a ground-based telescope,” we read in the release.

The second probable cause of the interference is a faulty power supply. This issue was also thoroughly investigated, including by reproducing the problem in the laboratory during tests of the satellite's functional twin (the so-called FlatSat).

“The tests carried out show that the problem is not related to the power distribution system itself (which was positively verified before the loss of communication), but to the additional safeguards introduced to prevent excessive voltage supplied to the satellite from the solar panels. They turned out not to work as originally assumed in certain specific conditions occurring in space and caused a reduction in the effective voltage on the satellite subsystems. The probable consequence is the current communication problems,” Creotech explained. According to the company's experts, if the satellite is positioned favorably in relation to the Sun, it will be possible to launch a communication channel with Earth.

A procedure to minimize the problem with the security system has already been tested on the Earth-based twin satellite of EagleEye. It is to be launched as soon as a communication window appears. To this end, attempts are made to establish communication with the satellite periodically, using ground stations. However, since the device's position relative to the Sun is unknown, it is impossible to say when such a window will appear. Further, ongoing updates regarding the satellite's status are planned. At the same time, modifications are being made to the HyperSat platform, on which the EagleEye is based. The modifications also cover three satellites of the PIAST constellation, which are to be launched into orbit in 2025.