Weekly Space Report

HYPE: Poland’s Smallest Satellite Operational in Orbit

Poland’s smallest satellite, HYPE, PocketQube satellite, developed by students at AGH University of Krakow, was successfully launched into orbit on January 14, 2025 as part of the Falcon 9 Transporter-12 mission.

Measuring just 5 × 5 × 5 cm, HYPE is equipped with a miniature spectrometer to study environmental issues such as light pollution, volcanic dust, and deforestation. The satellite also features a foldable arm with a camera for educational outreach, intended to inspire interest in science and technology among young people in Poland.

HYPE’s successful deployment marks a milestone for Polish student engineering and demonstrates the increasing role of miniaturized satellites in scientific research and STEM education.

Poland Advances Suborbital Launch Capabilities with Rocket Test

In April 2025, Poland advanced its suborbital launch capabilities with a successful test of a 300 mm diameter rocket engine. Conducted by the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU), this test is part of a project aimed at developing a reusable three-stage suborbital launch system capable of reaching the Kármán line, approximately 100 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

The tested engine is designed to carry research payloads into suborbital space, facilitating experiments in microgravity and atmospheric studies. Notably, the system is also being considered for dual-use applications, including potential roles in air defense.

This development signifies a significant step for Poland in establishing independent access to suborbital space, aligning with broader European efforts to enhance national space technologies.

NASA’s SPHEREx Team Rings NYSE Closing Bell

The NASA SPHEREx mission team was honored by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025, highlighting the mission’s significance in advancing space science.

SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is designed to survey the sky in infrared light, aiming to answer fundamental questions about the universe’s origins and evolution. This public recognition underscores the mission’s progress and the broad interest in space exploration. SPHEREx is expected to provide critical data on the composition of the universe, the formation of galaxies, and the presence of water and organic molecules in space, furthering our understanding of cosmic history.

The observatory was launched on March 11, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Meteorite from Lyrid Shower Causes Stir in Australia

The annual Lyrid meteor shower, originating from debris shed by Comet Thatcher, was visible across Australia between April 16 and 25, 2025, peaking in the early hours of April 22 and 23.

During the peak, skywatchers could see up to 18–20 meteors per hour, with the best viewing conditions occurring before the waning crescent moon rose after midnight. The Lyrids are one of the world’s oldest recorded meteor showers, with historical observations tracing back over 2,500 years. In 2025, Australians in regions like New South Wales enjoyed clear views of bright fireballs and persistent meteor trains, thanks to minimal moonlight interference and favorable weather.

The event drew significant attention from both amateur astronomers and the public, providing a vivid reminder of Earth’s journey through ancient cosmic debris every April.