PIRX-1
 Rendering of PIRX-1 | |
| Names | MIKROGLOB-1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth observation |
| Operator | Polish Ministry of National Defense |
| COSPAR ID | 2026-156AC |
| Mission duration | 1 year |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Satellite |
| Manufacturer | Creotech |
| Dry mass | 55 kilograms (121 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 July 2026, 7:12 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Transporter-17 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SCL-4 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Heliosynchronous |
PIRX-1 is an earth observation satellite commissioned and operated by the Polish Ministry of National Defense and manufactured by Creotech as part of the MikroGLOB program. Its primary payload is optoelectronic observation equipment.[1][2][3][4]
Background
[edit]The MicroGLOB program is 4 optoelectronic satellites run in conjunction with the MicroSAR program, 6 synthetic aperture radar satellites commissioned by the Ministry of National Defense and manufactured by the Finnish company Iceye.[5][6] PIRX-1 is the first satellite in the MikroGLOB program to be constructed. The other three are expected to launch before the end of 2026.[5] The satellite is based off the same platform as the EagleEye that was launched in August 2024.[5] PIRX-1 is named after Pilot Pirx, a character from a series of science fiction short stories written by Stanisław Lem that were also adapted into a TV show and film.[5]
History
[edit]On 20 December 2024, the Ministry of National Defense announced the MikroGLOB program, a series of 4 satellites to be manufactured by Creotech that will be equipped with optical instruments for both near-infrared and visible light spectrum and on-board image processing capabilities.[6][7]
PIRX-1 was launch on the SpaceX Transporter-17 mission on 7 July 2026 at 7:12 UTC.[1][8] Colonel Grzegorz Matyja, commander of the Center for Satellite Operations and deputy commander of the Geospatial Reconnaissance and Satellite Services Agency, announced the satellite's successful deployment on 9 July 2026.[5] It was deployed to a heliosynchronous orbit.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Muczyński, Rafał (2026-07-08). "First satellite of the MikroGlob Earth Observation Satellite System reaches space". MILMAG. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ Find PIRX-1
- ↑ www.matak.sk, Juraj Maták-. "Kozmonautika - Družice - Pirx 1". www.kozmo-data.sk. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "Kolejny polski satelita wojskowy na orbicie. Pierwszy z programu MIKROGLOB". geekweek (in Polish). 2026-07-08. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Zagalski, Jakub. "PIRX-1 na orbicie". Polska Zbrojna. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Strembski, Marcin. "Wystrzelenie polskiego satelity programu MIKROGLOB". Onet.pl. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "Contract for Earth Observation Satellite System under MIKROGLOB Program". Creotech. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "SpaceX - Transporter-17 Mission". SpaceX. Retrieved 2026-07-17.