Weekly Space Report

Poland Proposes National Space Law to Regulate Growing Sector

A draft law introduces licensing, liability rules, and a national space object registry in Poland. Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology has unveiled a draft Act on Space Activities to establish a comprehensive legal framework for space operations. The law will create a national registry of space objects and introduce licensing procedures and liability protocols, bringing the country in line with its international obligations under the Outer Space Treaty. The legislation is designed to support Poland’s rapidly evolving space sector, which includes state-led missions and an increasing number of private ventures. It’s seen as a foundational step toward creating a safer, more structured environment for space innovation and cooperation. A legal backbone is essential for both protecting investments and managing responsibilities in orbit.

ICEYE and Polish Ministry of Defence Partner on Radar Satellite Constellation

A new deal secures Poland’s access to high-resolution, all-weather Earth observation with a homegrown satellite network. Poland’s Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with satellite company ICEYE and aerospace contractor WZL-1 to deliver a MicroSAR radar satellite constellation. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system will provide real-time, high-resolution imaging regardless of cloud cover or daylight—key for defense, intelligence, and crisis response operations. The constellation is expected to boost Poland’s independent surveillance capabilities, supporting both military needs and civil protection efforts such as disaster management and border monitoring. The project is part of a broader push to strengthen national security through space-based assets. The agreement cements Poland’s position as an emerging space security player. It also signals the growing importance of radar imaging in an era where satellite autonomy and sovereignty are becoming strategic imperatives.

Voyager 1’s Thrusters Reawaken After 20 Years

NASA has remotely revived Voyager 1’s long-dormant primary thrusters, extending its deep space mission from over 25 billion kilometers away.
NASA engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have successfully reactivated Voyager 1’s primary roll thrusters, which had remained inactive since 2004 due to heater failures. The maneuver was essential, as the spacecraft had been operating on backup thrusters that were showing signs of degradation and at risk of clogging. By restoring the original system, NASA has ensured continued communication with the aging probe, which is now over 25 billion kilometers from Earth. The fix was timed to precede a temporary communication blackout caused by upgrades to the Deep Space Network antenna in Australia. Voyager 1, launched in 1977, remains the most distant human-made object in space. A remarkable technical achievement that not only extends the life of a historic mission, but also showcases NASA’s precision in deep space operations—proof that age is no barrier in space exploration.

Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos-482 Falls to Earth After 53 Years

A failed 1972 Venus mission reentered Earth’s atmosphere, ending its decades-long orbit in the Indian Ocean. Kosmos-482, a Soviet spacecraft launched in 1972 as part of the Venera program, finally reentered Earth’s atmosphere on May 10, 2025. Originally intended to land on Venus, the probe became stranded in Earth’s orbit after a launch failure. While its main components burned up in the early 1980s, the Venus lander—engineered to withstand Venusian extremes—remained in orbit for over five decades. Its reentry was tracked by international monitoring stations, with Roscosmos confirming a splashdown in the Indian Ocean west of Jakarta. Experts suggest some components may have survived atmospheric reentry, due to the lander’s rugged titanium construction. Kosmos-482’s dramatic return is more than a Cold War relic falling from the sky—it’s a reminder of how durable and persistent space debris can be, and why orbital traffic management is no longer optional.