Earth Observation Satellite to be Donated to Ukraine
Czech Republic will Build and Deliver the Spacecraft
The Czech Republic will build and deliver a modern Earth observation satellite to Ukraine that will be able to collect data regardless of weather or daylight, according to the Czech government. The project, announced by Minister of Transport Martin Kupka in the presence of President Petr Pavel at an event marking Czech Space Week, is a concrete technological contribution of the Czech Republic to the development and security of Ukraine.
“The donation of the satellite is ... an investment in (Ukraine’s) future, and thus in security and stability in Europe.”
Jan Lipavský, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs
Currently, Ukraine relies on images supplied from abroad for observations, and has sought a domestic solution. The Czech Republic is the first country to provide such a form of assistance to Ukraine.
Czech companies that have experience in space technologies, especially in the construction of smaller satellites, will participate in the development and construction of the spacecraft. The satellite will be equipped with technology combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), optical and radiation detection, and monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum in several areas, which will allow observation of the Earth’s surface even at night and in deteriorated weather conditions.
The initiative follows the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and the Ukrainian State Space Agency, signed in 2024. “The donation of the satellite is a concrete expression of our solidarity and commitment to assist Ukraine in building its digital infrastructure and strengthening its operational sovereignty and resilience. It is an investment in its future, and thus in security and stability in Europe,” said Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský.
The satellite project for Ukraine will be launched in the coming months, with the satellite expected to be launched in 2026. In the future, this satellite could be supplemented by other satellites to create a constellation.
The project is part of the Czech Republic’s government program for the reconstruction of Ukraine, implemented by the Ministry of Transport in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.