Ukrainian Company Stetman to Launch Its Own Satellite Network into Low Earth Orbit
The director of Ukrainian technology company Stetman, Dmytro Stetsenko, has officially announced an ambitious plan to create a private satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.
This was reported by Defender Media.
The project, funded by private investors and European loans, aims to provide autonomous and secure communications for the state sector and security services.
Founded in 2023, Stetman has already established itself as a reliable supplier of equipment for the military, police, and emergency services. Its current product portfolio includes around 30 high-tech solutions designed for modern operational challenges.
Particular attention is being given to developing terminals resilient to enemy electronic warfare systems. “These include standard Starlink terminals as well as a modified Starmod version, adapted for military use and protected against electronic warfare measures,” the company says.
The strategic plan foresees placing satellites at approximately 550 kilometres altitude to minimise data transmission delays. A low orbit is critical for rapid unit management and real-time coordination of emergency services.
The first step of the programme is scheduled for autumn 2026. “A test satellite is set to be launched in October 2026. The company has already arranged the launch with SpaceX,” Stetman’s leadership told the media.
Full deployment of the network, which will eventually include 360 satellites, is expected to begin in 2027 and continue for about three years. This large constellation will provide stable coverage and high system resilience even under challenging geopolitical conditions.
The financial scale of the project is significant, as production and launch of a single satellite costs several million euros. Experts estimate a Falcon 9 rocket launch, capable of delivering dozens of satellites simultaneously, at around 60–70 million USD.
The future satellite network will be closed to the general public and focused exclusively on critical infrastructure. Priority users will include Ukrainian government agencies as well as potential partners in the European Union and NATO.
For context, Russia recently lost a satellite used to broadcast propaganda over occupied territories. Additionally, the Czech Republic is donating a satellite to Ukraine.
