AGH UST and Aeroklub Krakowski establish cooperation in the fields of space technologies and aviation

The blueprints of the AGH UST ground station, which is to be constructed on the airport premises, show a laboratory compound. The numerous lab rooms will be excellent for organising classes with the use of specialised equipment. The antenna system (4.5 m in diameter and 1,900 kg in weight) will be locked inside a protective dome that will shield it from unfavourable meteorological conditions. Construction is scheduled to start in 2022.

Professor Tadeusz Uhl, Director of the AGH UST Space Technology Centre, clarifies the way in which the station will serve AGH UST employees and students:
‘Establishing a ground-based segment of satellite communication is crucial for future space missions carried out by AGH UST employees and students, including the launch of the AGH UST satellite to low orbit, scheduled for the coming years. Furthermore, the station will be our technical base, facilitating the organisation of practical classes for our students in the field of basic satellite communication, including satellite imaging data processing and ICT system safety’.

Sabina Hawryłko, Aeroclub director, adds: ‘By signing this agreement with the AGH UST, Krakow Aeroclub enters a whole new territory. This is definitely a huge challenge, but at the same time, a great opportunity for our club to thrive. We are proud that due to this cooperation, we will be able to participate in the writing of the space exploration story of this region. We hope that this cooperation will last many years and bring about nothing but success in crossing the boundaries. Sky is no limit’.

Cooperation between the two entities will include the organisation of basic glider and aircraft piloting trainings for AGH UST students and employees.

The AGH UST organisational unit responsible for the implementation of the cooperation agreement will be the AGH UST Space Technology Centre. The agreement was signed by Robert Zarański and Marek Długosz, DSc (Krakow Aeroclub), and Professor Rafał Wiśniowski, and Professor Tadeusz Uhl (the AGH UST).

Krakow Aeroclub is one of the oldest and renowned aviation associations in Poland with the following statutory goals: creating conditions for the broad aviation activity, organising flying courses and improving aviation skills, disseminating knowledge, skills, and good practices in aviation, popularising aviation. The club also actively works to aid in the development of aviation technology. It focuses on promoting inventiveness and innovation in aviation, as well as disseminating and implementing new aviation solutions.