Photo: HR
Ukrainian technology company HIMERA and Danish small-satellite manufacturer GomSpace have begun orbital testing of the OBRIA NANO satellite, the first step toward an independent Ukrainian satellite communications network designed to reduce reliance on foreign providers.
The satellite was launched on October 1, 2026, as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission. A Falcon 9 rocket carried 130 spacecraft and other payloads into low Earth orbit.
“It is successfully undergoing tests of the OBRIA satellite constellation’s capabilities according to plan,” HIMERA said.
Satellite communications enable long-distance data transmission without relying solely on ground-based networks. For Ukraine during the war, this is not just a technological issue but also a matter of maintaining resilient communications during attacks on infrastructure and potential disruptions to foreign services.
HIMERA is best known for its secure radios and tactical communications equipment used by the Ukrainian military. The company is now expanding into satellite infrastructure.
“This is an opportunity to lay the foundations for an independent Ukrainian communications network. We are starting by testing the technology in orbit, with the long-term goal of developing capabilities that strengthen the country’s strategic security and reduce dependence on external communications providers,” said HIMERA co-founder and CEO Misha Rudominsky.
The company ultimately plans to build a satellite constellation providing communications coverage across Ukraine and complementing European satellite networks.
However, a single test satellite is not enough to replace Starlink. The current phase is intended to validate the technology in real space conditions before a larger system is deployed.
Danish company GomSpace, which specializes in designing and manufacturing small satellites, is a key partner in the project.
Another major milestone will be moving some satellite and ground-terminal production to Ukraine. This would help the country develop domestic expertise not only in using space technology but also in manufacturing the equipment behind it.
GomSpace CEO Carsten Drachmann said the partners share the goal of strengthening Ukraine’s independent communications capabilities and supporting its long-term security and economic development.
