Two weeks before Starlink’s speed cap hit Ukraine’s drones, a Ukrainian test satellite went up on a SpaceX rocket
The companies say it will serve Ukraine's strategic security. Public launch records list one Ukrainian satellite from that launch, and it has a different name, though dozens of the launch's payloads are still unidentified.
On 27 October, Ukraine's Himera and Denmark's GomSpace declared that a test satellite for a future communications network under Ukrainian control was operating in orbit. He said this satellite would enhance strategic security for Ukraine and that the long-term goal is to rely less on foreign communications providers. However, no satellite bearing that name is listed in SpaceX's public launch records.
Instead, a Ukrainian satellite called UASAT-Nano was launched from the same mission, which had other unidentified objects as well. This has raised questions about whether the names refer to the same satellite. Himera's CEO Misha Rudominski stated that the company is planning to produce satellites and ground terminals in Ukraine, aiming to build a foundation for an independent communications network for Ukraine.
However, no timeline for this network has been announced. Meanwhile, Starlink imposed a speed cap on fast-moving terminals, which disrupted Ukrainian drone missions. The cap was in place for 10 days before Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that speeds had been restored. Elon Musk claimed that Ukraine had violated Starlink's terms of service and that the restriction was lifted last week, a claim disputed by a Ukrainian presidential advisor.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
