Ukrainian defence technology company HIMERA and Denmark’s GomSpace have begun testing a satellite in orbit as part of plans to build a communications network that Ukraine can operate without relying on foreign providers.
The satellite, called OBRIA NANO, launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission on 1 October and is now operational. It’s the first step in a project to establish a Ukrainian-controlled satellite network, with testing intended to help determine how the wider system will be built.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over Ukraine’s dependence on US-controlled satellite services. Ukrainian forces recently experienced disruption to Starshield connectivity, affecting airborne systems travelling at speeds above 160 km/h. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the restrictions had affected drone interception, mid-range strikes and the delivery of supplies to civilians. Connectivity appeared to be restored after around a day, although questions remain over what caused the disruption and who was responsible.
The incident has added urgency to efforts across Europe to develop sovereign satellite communications capabilities, with Ukraine particularly exposed to decisions made by overseas providers.
“For us, this project is about more than launching a satellite. It is an opportunity to lay the foundation for an independent communications network for Ukraine,” said Misha Rudominski, co-founder and CEO of HIMERA. “We are starting by testing technologies in orbit, while our long-term goal is to develop capabilities that will strengthen the country’s strategic security and reduce dependence on external communications providers.”
Founded in 2022, HIMERA is best known for its secure tactical communications equipment, which Ukrainian troops use on the battlefield, including in areas where electronic warfare is a constant threat. The company raised more than $2.5 million in December 2025 to fund further development and expansion, and was among the startups taking part in the LAUNCH@RC programme at this year’s Resilience Conference London.
With OBRIA, HIMERA is now looking to take its communications technology into space. The first satellite is being used to test how a larger network might work, although the company has yet to say when it expects the full constellation to be ready.
The proposed system aims to provide coverage across Ukraine while complementing existing European satellite networks, not replacing them outright.
An important next step will be establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities for satellites and ground communications terminals. The companies say localising production would help Ukraine develop the technical expertise and industrial capacity needed to support its own satellite infrastructure.
