Ukraine Moves Closer to Its Own Satellite Network as Test Craft Reaches Orbit

Ukrainian communications company Himera and Danish satellite manufacturer GomSpace have sent Obria nano, a test satellite, into orbit as the first step toward an independent Ukrainian communications network.Himera told Ukrainska Pravda on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that the satellite reached orbit aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission on Oct. 1, and is reportedly already operating.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“The technical trials should provide the practical experience needed for the project’s further development into a Ukrainian national infrastructure,” Himera said.While the launch relied on a SpaceX rocket, the satellite itself will be controlled by a Ukrainian operator and will serve Ukraine’s strategic security needs. The project comes as Kyiv seeks to reduce its dependence on SpaceX’s Starshield service amid recent disruptions and diplomatic tensions with Washington.Reducing reliance on foreign technologyUkraine’s dependence on foreign-made technology creates strategic risks, especially during wartime, Himera argued. Building capabilities domestically, the company said, would widen the country’s communication options and strengthen its security.In the long term, the company plans to deploy a satellite constellation covering all of Ukraine’s territory.The network would also complement existing European satellite systems and form the basis of a sovereign Ukrainian communications system.Moving production of satellites and ground terminals to Ukraine is Himera’s next priority, as this could help Kyiv build its own expertise in satellite communications, while gradually expanding domestic manufacturing. Other Topics of Interest Putin-Linked Boxing Chief Seen Hunting With Trump Jr. in Mongolia The US president’s son spent about a week in Mongolia and shot an Altai argali, a wild sheep species subject to conservation protections. Ukraine also signed seven agreements with Finland on Oct. 22, including deals to expand Kyiv’s use of Finnish satellite capabilities through Nokia and ICEYE.“We agreed that we will make greater use of Finland’s satellite capabilities,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier. “This is important for our defense and for Ukraine’s resilience.”Radios field-tested by military intelligenceA unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) had tested Himera’s tactical radios – HIMERA G1 PRO radios and HIMERA B1 repeater – in real combat conditions, the company said in a statement on Oct. 15.HUR testers reportedly praised the devices’ durable casing, simple setup, compact repeater and a long battery life.According to Himera, the radios ran for up to four days on a single charge, even in low temperatures and high humidity.However, the main improvement users requested was much better sound quality for the G1 PRO. At the time, Himera said it had already sent some users a beta version and reported collecting their feedback for the next update.Russia’s own domestic Starlink: RassvetMeanwhile, Russia is working on its own, domestic alternative to Starlink.Built by the Russian company Bureau 1440, Rassvet is a low-orbit satellite broadband service that users can connect to through dedicated terminals that relay data to satellites overhead.Major General Ilya Pavlenko, who served as deputy chief of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) from 2015 to 2020 told Interfax-Ukraine that Russia’s growing Rassvet satellite network could eventually allow its forces to control long-range drones over Ukraine in real time.He cautioned against writing off the project because of problems with its first satellites, arguing that the network could later be used as another tool for hybrid warfare against Europe.Bureau 1440 says the finished system will operate at an altitude of about 800 kilometers (497 miles), deliver speeds of up to 1 Gbps with delays of up to 70 milliseconds, and use 5G non-terrestrial network standards and laser links between satellites.According to Pavlenko, Russia is also moving its jet drone factories underground, which could further limit Ukraine’s ability to break manufacturing cycles or destroy the drones. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.