Wroclaw is applying to host the European Space Agency Technology Center. Letter to Prime Minister Tusk

Such a Technology Center is a strategic research and development center that will be involved in creating space security and dual-use (civilian and military) technologies, as well as supporting domestic industry in winning international contracts.

On Wednesday, January 14, representatives of all the forces supporting the location of the Center in Wrocław gathered at the Town Hall and signed a letter that will be sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the European Space Agency. This support for locating the center in Wrocław is conveyed by the provincial governor, marshal, authorities of Wrocław, Wałbrzych, Jelenia Góra, and Legnica, and even Dresden and Prague, representatives of universities in Wrocław and Opole, as well as entrepreneurs associated with the space industry.

Letter to the Prime Minister – what is its message?

The message is as follows: Wrocław is the most natural and operationally ready location for the European Space Agency Technology Center to be established in Poland. It is supported by the potential of the entire region. Wrocław and Lower Silesia offer a combination of innovative technology companies and academic facilities with experience in cooperation with the European Space Agency.

The advantages mentioned in the letter addressed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the European Space Agency include, among others, well-developed infrastructure and great potential for international cooperation in the Lower Silesia-Czech Republic-Germany triangle.

We have all already won as Poles, because the fact that the Centre will be located in Poland is already a success. Now we are engaged in a noble competition with other cities to have the Centre located in Wrocław. This letter is a joint declaration of all communities. We propose two specific, ready-made locations where a branch of the European Space Agency could be established. The first is the Łukasiewicz Institute - Polish Center for Technology Development, and the second is the Wrocław Technology Park. Both places are recognized centers with potential for further development.

Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław

“We have proven that we are capable of carrying out full-scale space missions in Wrocław,” says Prof. Krzysztof Sośnica from the University of Life Sciences, who is the embodiment of the thesis that Wrocław has the right staff to work on space technologies (he heads the Department of Satellite and Space Data Engineering).

Such centers attract talent from all over the world. We have the expertise, experience, and human resources—I am convinced that Wrocław is the perfect place to locate the Technology Center.

Prof. Krzysztof Sośnica, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences

“As one of the leading companies in the space sector, we believe that Wrocław is the most sensible place to locate such a center,” adds Mikołaj Podgórski from the Wrocław-based company Scanway, which builds telescopes and cameras for satellites.

Lower Silesia has universities, engineers, and hi-tech companies. The province's great location gives us even more opportunities.

Anna Żabska, Lower Silesian Governor

“Our location in the vicinity of the Czech Republic and Germany facilitates cooperation, and the appropriate infrastructure — roads, motorways, and airports — connects various centers,” emphasizes Michał Rado, Deputy Marshal of the Lower Silesian Province.

The creation of a space technology center in Wrocław is supported by the mayors of Lower Silesian cities: Wałbrzych, Legnica, and Jelenia Góra, but cooperation between cities is to be expanded to include Dresden and Prague. The idea is to utilize the potential of each center in relatively close proximity.

Wrocław's candidacy is supported not only by Wrocław scientists, but also by those from Opole. Speaking on their behalf was Rev. Prof. Sławomir Stasiak, rector of the Papal Faculty of Theology in Wrocław, but also chairman of the College of Rectors of Universities in Wrocław and Opole. He emphasizes that the Center in Wrocław is a huge opportunity in four aspects:

• integrating the potential of many universities,
• attracting talent, students, and doctoral students,
• strengthening cooperation between science and industry,
• and strengthening Wrocław's international position.

The city of Wrocław and Lower Silesia are pillars of economic and technological development in Poland and Europe. The location is conducive to establishing cooperation with Germany, primarily with Saxony. This cooperation will promote the development of both regions and the development of new technologies. Establishing the Center here will bring measurable benefits not only to the local community, but will also create new paths for cross-border cooperation. A triangle of space innovation will be created: Wrocław-Dresden-Prague. I wish you every success in implementing this ambitious plan. Together we will reach for the stars!

Martin Kremer, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Wrocław

What will the European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center do?

Space safety

Monitoring threats in orbit (e.g., space debris), protecting satellites from collisions, and forecasting space weather, which affects electronics on Earth.

Dual-use technologies

Developing technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes (e.g., secure satellite communications, Earth observation).

Industry support

The center is intended to help Polish companies win contracts with the ESA.

Technology testing

Access to advanced infrastructure that Polish companies have lacked until now.

Wrocław faces strong competition in its efforts to locate the European Space Agency's Technology Center. Apart from us, there are also:

• Gdańsk,
• the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis,
• Kraków,
• and Łódź.