Danish satellite manufacturer GomSpace and Ukrainian satellite communications company Stetman have signed an agreement to jointly develop dual-use, sovereign satellite communications capabilities for Ukraine.
Under the agreement, joint venture UASAT plans to launch its first satellite in the fall of 2026 to gather operational feedback.
While further details have not been disclosed, Stetman founder and CEO Dmytro Stetsenko previously said that the UASAT satellite is expected to be launched aboard a SpaceX vehicle in October.
The initiative is intended to reduce Ukraine’s reliance on the Starlink satellite constellation, which has provided connectivity despite extensive wartime damage to telecommunications and power infrastructure.
Militarily, Starlink has been indispensable to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, enabling critical battlefield coordination, drone operations, and intelligence sharing, with more than 50,000 terminals delivered to the country.
“Satellite communications have become a critical enabler for both civilian society and national security in times of crisis,” Stetsenko stated while announcing the agreement with GomSpace.
“Through UASAT, we are combining Ukrainian operational experience with GomSpace’s space technology expertise to build a sovereign capability that strengthens resilience and long‑term independence.”
UASAT Constellation
The planned UASAT constellation will operate at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers (342 miles) and is designed with resilience against electronic warfare in mind.
GomSpace will lead satellite manufacturing, with a phased plan to localize production within Ukraine.
Initial deployment will prioritize secure communications for government and military users, with 30,000 to 50,000 terminals expected to be fielded by 2027. The network is ultimately designed to support up to 100,000 terminals per country and could be expanded to allied nations.
The longer-term roadmap envisions a rapidly scaled constellation — 120 satellites by 2027, followed by more than 100 launches annually — suggesting a low Earth orbit architecture rather than traditional geostationary systems.
“In the current geopolitical environment, sovereign access to strategic space assets is a necessity,” GomSpace CEO Carsten Drachmann said.
“We are pleased to partner with Stetman in a focused and purpose‑driven collaboration with a clear mission.”
