President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine is actively developing a domestic satellite communications network designed to mirror the capabilities of Starlink. The project aims to secure vital connectivity for military defense operations, drone support, and critical state infrastructure as the ongoing conflict continues.
Early blueprints for the ambitious program outline a deployment of 120 satellites scheduled for 2027. Because Ukraine lacks its own heavy-lift orbital launch vehicles, the nation plans to utilize SpaceX rockets to get the hardware into space. Ukrainian firm Stetman is reportedly spearheading the development of the orbital units, tailoring the system to support defense forces and secure government communications.
The push for an independent constellation follows the troubled deployment of Russia's Rassvet program, which suffered major setbacks when its initial batch of satellites failed to reach operational altitude and began decaying in orbit. Alongside the domestic build, Zelensky argued that international satellite networks should remain fully accessible for military defense applications, citing concerns over potential technological cooperation between rival states.
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