Ukraine puts first sovereign satellite into orbit as part of planned communications network

In brief

• Ukraine's HIMERA, working with Denmark's GomSpace, has placed the OBRIA NANO test satellite in orbit.
• The satellite launched on October 1, 2026, on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission and is in technical testing.
• The project is the first step toward a sovereign Ukrainian satellite communications network, with localised production planned next.

Launch and status

The OBRIA NANO satellite was launched on October 1, 2026, aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission (Україна зробила крок до власного Starlink: на орбіті запрацював перший український супутник звʼязку – TSN) (Україна вивела на орбіту перший тестовий супутник власної мережі зв'язку OBRIA NANO – Espreso) (На орбіті запрацював перший суверенний український супутник – UNIAN). The spacecraft has reached orbit and is now undergoing technical trials, which the company says are proceeding according to plan (Украина вывела на орбиту первый спутник собственной системы связи – Charter 97) (Встречайте Obria nano. Украина вывела на орбиту первый спутник связи – NV).

Purpose of the project

HIMERA says the test is meant to give its team practical experience with satellite technology in orbit. The data will feed into the project's development and its eventual integration into national infrastructure. The company describes the satellite as the first unit of a future Ukrainian satellite communications network.

The satellite will be controlled by a Ukrainian operator and is intended for strategic security needs. HIMERA argues that its own communications capacity would diversify the country's channels and reduce its dependence on foreign service providers.

Next steps

Co-founder and CEO Misha Rudominskyi described the launch as an early stage of a larger plan. He said the aim is to build an independent communications network that strengthens state security. The next step, according to the company, is to localise satellite and ground-terminal production in Ukraine, which would gradually expand domestic manufacturing capacity.

Longer term, the initiative envisages a constellation of satellites providing coverage across the country.