Ukraine’s satellite ambitions: Can it build systems on its own?
Satellite manufacturing is developing today (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine needs to develop its space industry, as without it, ensuring national security is impossible. However, innovation requires investment, and many technologies have already been lost.
This was stated in an interview by the chief researcher and former director of the Institute of Space Research of the NAS of Ukraine, Oleh Fedorov.
Can Ukraine build its own satellites?
The expert noted that today, Ukraine has lost most of the technologies it once had.
At the same time, “their restoration is not on the agenda.”
“The State Space Agency is working on a new program, and these issues are being included there. But new developments can only be created in cooperation,” Fedorov explained.
The scientist added that satellite development is generally progressing very quickly.
“We have specialists at KPI (National Technical University of Ukraine ‘Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’) who, in partnership with international organizations, are building demonstration satellites,” he said.
However, telecommunications satellites, according to the expert, are not currently being developed.
“And it is unlikely to happen in the coming years,” Fedorov admitted.
He recalled that Ukrainians once built Earth observation satellites (the Sich series).
“And the only attempt to build a telecommunications satellite with foreign partners — ‘Lybid’ — was unsuccessful,” he said.
Overall, in his view, it is difficult to speak about prospects at the moment.
“However, this sector (the space program) must be developed, because without its own space assets it is impossible to ensure full national security,” the expert added.
Although innovation requires significant investment.
“To restore space activity, we need to audit enterprises, facilities, funds, and even specialists, because much has been lost,” Fedorov said.
Finally, he noted that Ukraine has an objective need for space technologies.
“Help is available to us. But we lack a state-level vision for the sector. And existing efforts from various organizations are fragmented,” the expert concluded.
Read also whether Ukraine will join NASA’s Artemis lunar program.
