Subscribe with SteadyPirx 1 (MikroGlob 1)
Pirx 1 (MikroGlob 1) [Creotech Instruments]
PIRX-1 is a 55 kg Earth observation satellite developed by Creotech for the Polish Ministry of National Defense under the MikroGLOB program. It is the first of four optical reconnaissance satellites planned for the constellation.
The satellite carries an optoelectronic imaging payload designed to acquire high-resolution imagery in the visible and near-infrared spectral bands. In addition to image collection, PIRX-1 features onboard image processing capabilities, allowing selected data to be processed before transmission to the ground. The spacecraft is intended to support Poland's military reconnaissance and geospatial intelligence capabilities with an operational mission life of one year.
PIRX-1 is based on Creotech's HyperSat platform, previously demonstrated by the EagleEye Earth observation satellite launched in 2024. The satellite was commissioned as part of the Polish Ministry of National Defense's MikroGLOB program, which foresees a constellation of four optical imaging satellites. The program complements the parallel MikroSAR initiative, under which six radar imaging satellites are being procured from Finnish manufacturer ICEYE, providing Poland with both optical and synthetic aperture radar Earth observation capabilities.
It was launched on 7 July 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 on the Transporter-17 rideshare mission. Following launch, PIRX-1 was successfully deployed into a Sun-synchronous orbit. Three additional MikroGLOB satellites are scheduled for launch before the end of 2026.
| Nation: | Poland |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Reconnaissance, electro-optical |
| Operator: | Poland Ministry of National Defence |
| Contractors: | Creotech Instruments |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | HyperSat bus |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | 2 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 10 years |
| Mass: | 55 kg |
| Orbit: | 587 km Ũ 598 km, 97.75° |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirx 1 (MikroGlob 1) | 2026-156AC | 05.07.2026 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with CAS500 4, Pelican 11, EarthDaily 8, ICEYE X77, X79, X80, X81, GRUS 3A, ..., 3G, MISR-D 1, 2, Hyperion GR1, Argonaut Demo, FireSat 1, 2, 3, Pirx 1, Kita 36, 53, Anduril-216, ION-SCV 023, Lusíada 5, 6, 7, Balkan 3, GHGSat C16, C17, Centauri 9, GRITSS, LEONAV 1, SCION-X, BRO 31, CuBy 1, ..., 5, Replicator 2, Deloitte 4, 5, 6, GENIEedge P-Body, RAFS Cubesat, CloudCT Precursor, CyberCUBE, FossaSat 2E26, IPOS-TDSM, KOYO, MAVERIC, MARMOTSat, Sentinel 1, SUCHAI 4, TOM 1, 2, 3, BOHR, Kostka, Marina, ET 001A, ..., 001D, SPEAR 1A, 1B, 1C, Lemur-2 259, ..., 263, Nova 1, Oasis Alpha, Posidōnia, R5 S9 |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
