What Germany is building in defence tech (2026)
Apr 30
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Warsaw, PolandWarsaw, Poland
Products & Solutions
Manipulation and Gripping Systems
Design and development of grippers and manipulators for space and defence applications. The team has delivered seven grippers for security and defence purposes and one gripper prototype for an Active Debris Removal mission, drawing on heritage from terrestrial robotics programmes at the parent institute.
Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE)
Precision mechanical structures and ground support equipment used during the assembly, integration and testing of space hardware. PIAP Space covers the full product lifecycle from requirements definition through to maintenance support. A recent example is a 1,194 mm diameter satellite clamping system built for the ESA ROSE-L mission, load-tested to 125 kN.
Validation Platforms and Field Tests
Eight rover types for validating robotics technologies in representative environments. PIAP Space organises and executes field tests including in lunar analogue conditions, and provides full data analysis to support mission design decisions.
Vision-Based Navigation
Algorithm development and hardware-software co-design for visual navigation in rover, debris removal and precision landing missions. The team handles the full development chain from algorithm design through code implementation and testing.
About
PIAP Space is a Warsaw-based space robotics company founded in 2017 as a spin-off of Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (Łukasiewicz – PIAP). The company emerged from a team that secured its first ESA contract back in 2013, and today employs around 45 people. It is jointly owned by Łukasiewicz – PIAP and the Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP).
Offices
Warsaw, PolandCustomers & Partners
European Space Agency (ESA)Thales Alenia Space PolandŁukasiewicz – PIAP (parent institute)Creotech InstrumentsŁukasiewicz Institute of AviationGMV PolskaMilitary University of Technology (WAT)AROBS PolskaSpace scAvengersZaitraAstronikaLeonardoPolish Space Agency (POLSA)
Timeline
2025-10
RAVEN in-space transportation vehicle programme enters Phase B1, with a demonstration mission planned for 2029.
2025-02
Delivers satellite clamping system for ESA's ROSE-L Copernicus mission — the first such contract executed by a Polish company for an ESA supplier.
2023
EROSS IOD project launched, aiming to demonstrate on-orbit satellite servicing technology.
2019
Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP) takes up shares, becoming a co-owner alongside Łukasiewicz – PIAP.
2017
PIAP Space officially registered as an independent company in February 2017.
2013
Team at Łukasiewicz – PIAP secures first contract with the European Space Agency.
Open Positions (1)
1 Hardware & Systems
Products & Solutions
Manipulation and Gripping Systems
Design and development of grippers and manipulators for space and defence applications. The team has delivered seven grippers for security and defence purposes and one gripper prototype for an Active Debris Removal mission, drawing on heritage from terrestrial robotics programmes at the parent institute.
Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE)
Precision mechanical structures and ground support equipment used during the assembly, integration and testing of space hardware. PIAP Space covers the full product lifecycle from requirements definition through to maintenance support. A recent example is a 1,194 mm diameter satellite clamping system built for the ESA ROSE-L mission, load-tested to 125 kN.
Validation Platforms and Field Tests
Eight rover types for validating robotics technologies in representative environments. PIAP Space organises and executes field tests including in lunar analogue conditions, and provides full data analysis to support mission design decisions.
Vision-Based Navigation
Algorithm development and hardware-software co-design for visual navigation in rover, debris removal and precision landing missions. The team handles the full development chain from algorithm design through code implementation and testing.
Open Positions (1)
1 Hardware & Systems
About
PIAP Space is a Warsaw-based space robotics company founded in 2017 as a spin-off of Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (Łukasiewicz – PIAP). The company emerged from a team that secured its first ESA contract back in 2013, and today employs around 45 people. It is jointly owned by Łukasiewicz – PIAP and the Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP).
Offices
Warsaw, PolandCustomers & Partners
European Space Agency (ESA)Thales Alenia Space PolandŁukasiewicz – PIAP (parent institute)Creotech InstrumentsŁukasiewicz Institute of AviationGMV PolskaMilitary University of Technology (WAT)AROBS PolskaSpace scAvengersZaitraAstronikaLeonardoPolish Space Agency (POLSA)
Timeline
2025-10
RAVEN in-space transportation vehicle programme enters Phase B1, with a demonstration mission planned for 2029.
2025-02
Delivers satellite clamping system for ESA's ROSE-L Copernicus mission — the first such contract executed by a Polish company for an ESA supplier.
2023
EROSS IOD project launched, aiming to demonstrate on-orbit satellite servicing technology.
2019
Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP) takes up shares, becoming a co-owner alongside Łukasiewicz – PIAP.
2017
PIAP Space officially registered as an independent company in February 2017.
2013
Team at Łukasiewicz – PIAP secures first contract with the European Space Agency.
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