Poland has taken a step forward in developing its suborbital launch capabilities with the successful test of a rocket powered by a 300mm diameter engine. The engine is part of an ongoing project led by the Military Institute of Weapons Technology (WITU) to build a reusable three-stage suborbital launch system capable of reaching the edge of space.
Test Footage And Mission Objectives
Footage of the recent test of the engine for the suborbital launch system, carried out in April 2025, was shared by Pawel Sokala on X. The rocket is designed to carry payloads past the Kármán line, which lies 100 kilometres above sea level and marks the internationally recognised boundary of space.
This project aims to lower the cost of access to suborbital space while enabling experiments in microgravity and atmospheric research. A similar engine, slightly larger at 308 mm in diameter, was demonstrated by the institute in 2024, following a guidance system test in 2023.
Suborbital Potential And Military Applications Of The Suborbital Launch System
Though primarily focused on scientific and commercial missions, the three-stage rocket may also serve military purposes. WITU notes the system’s adaptability for air defence, with a potential range of up to 150 kilometres. Each segment of the engine, including the nozzle, weighs around 148 kilograms.
A Cost-Effective Space Pathway
Suborbital flights offer a cost-effective alternative to orbital missions. They reach space but don’t attain the velocity required to enter orbit, making them ideal for short-duration experiments and technology testing.
Poland’s latest test marks another step in expanding its aerospace ambitions, aligning with a broader trend across Europe toward national launch capabilities.
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