# HIMERA and GomSpace's Ukrainian communications test satellite is operating in orbit The companies plan a nationwide network and local production of satellites and ground terminals, with OBRIA NANO testing intended to inform the system's design. Published 2026-10-28 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/28/himera-and-gomspaces-ukrainian-communications-test-satellite-is-operating/ Ukraine's HIMERA and Denmark's GomSpace have begun operating OBRIA NANO, a test satellite for a planned independent Ukrainian communications network, the companies announced Oct. 27, 2026.[1] The satellite launched on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission on Oct. 1.[1] The companies intend to use technical testing to inform the operational system's design.[1] Their longer-term plan is a satellite network providing communications coverage across Ukraine and complementing European satellite networks.[1] OBRIA NANO is intended to operate under a Ukrainian operator's control and serve Ukraine's strategic security needs.[1] HIMERA co-founder and CEO Misha Rudominski said the long-term goal is to develop capabilities that strengthen the country's strategic security and reduce dependence on external communications providers.[1] ## Why it matters The industrial ambition extends to production: the companies identify localizing satellite and ground communications terminal manufacturing in Ukraine as an important next step.[1] The Ukrainian operator, any Ukrainian government or defense customer, funding source and planned constellation size remain unspecified in the announcement.[1][1] ## Sources 1. Ukraine's Sovereign Satellite Now Operating in Orbit, GomSpace A/S via PR Newswire, Oct. 27, 2026