New President of the Polish Space Agency

Dr. Marta Ewa Wachowicz has been appointed as the new President of the Polish Space Agency. It is worth noting that she holds an academic background in space research. She earned her PhD in physics in the field of space physics at the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Experience Gained

Dr. Marta Ewa Wachowicz participated in the establishment of the Polish Space Agency and in designing its operational model. From 2015 to 2018, she headed the Department of Strategy and International Cooperation at the Polish Space Agency. She developed and oversaw the implementation of substantive support mechanisms for space-sector entrepreneurs in the field of economic international cooperation. She was also responsible for coordinating actions to support the activity of Polish entities on the European space market and for forging international partnerships with leading national space agencies.

She possesses extensive knowledge of European space policy and of the scientific and technological programs of national space agencies, including the European Space Agency. She is also familiar with the issues related to the use of space technologies in national defense, and her experience at the SRC PAS [CBK PAN, Polish Academy of Sciences Space Research Centre] resulted in her expertise in the design of instruments and components for the space industry and the high-tech sector.

She has collaborated with numerous ministries and administrative bodies at both central and local levels. Dr. Wachowicz has worked in scientific institutions, public administration, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. As Coordinator of the Earth and Planet Centre – Geoplanet, she gained experience in strategic financial planning and in building multidisciplinary research teams.

While working at NASK-PIB, she broadened her knowledge of cybersecurity aspects and of ensuring the resilience of information systems against breaches of confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authenticity of processed data.

The new President of POLSA also has education in science management, Poland’s R&D system, and the commercialization of scientific research (including postgraduate studies, an internship at Stanford University in California, and EMBA studies). From 2015 to 2022, she lectured at the Warsaw School of Economics and the Leon Koźmiński Academy in Warsaw.

Change of Plans?

In March, our editorial team obtained information about upcoming changes at POLSA. Unofficial sources indicated that within a few days the new President of the Polish Space Agency would be retired General Lech Majewski. However, after this information was published, many negative opinions emerged—not only within the industry. Ultimately, a different candidate was chosen.

Source: Ministry of Development and Technology, Polish Space Agency (/Space24.pl)