From Battlefields to Space: How Ukraine’s Satellite Program Skyrocketed in 2024-2025
In March 2025 Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense created a Space Policy Directorate to coordinate military space efforts. The crowdfunded ICEYE SAR satellite nicknamed the “People’s Satellite” remained Ukraine’s only satellite under national control, since 2022. Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko outlined a 2030 roadmap to deploy Ukrainian defense satellites and an air-launch early-warning system. In June 2025 the European Space Agency council reinforced collaboration with Ukraine’s SSAU, providing technical assistance on Earth observation, space weather, and exploration. In April 2025 the EU Commission and Ukraine signed an agreement enabling participation in the EU Space Programme with access to Copernicus data