Scanway and Pixxel sign MoU on next-generation Earth observation optics

Polish optics firm Scanway S.A. and Indian hyperspectral Earth observation company Pixxel signed a memorandum of understanding on 23 October 2026, on the sidelines of Poland's business mission to India, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined. It builds on an existing contract under which Scanway supplies imaging telescopes to Pixxel.

The memorandum covers joint development of future instrument generations for visible and infrared bands, lunar mission systems and space situational awareness. Scanway aims to reach roughly 50 cm per pixel imaging from low Earth orbit by the end of 2028, with commercialisation from 2029. Cooperation could also extend to Data-as-a-Service products combining Scanway's optics and image processing with Pixxel's hyperspectral data.

The firms intend to bid together for European Space Agency, EU and national agency contracts, and may share test facilities and coordinate supply chains. Scanway's filing describes the memorandum as a non-binding declaration of intent.

Why it matters: Higher-resolution optical instruments paired with hyperspectral data could widen the commercial Earth observation products available to users. The agreement is non-binding, so concrete projects still depend on separate contracts.