When I was in 7th grade, I watched Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. At that time, we imagined space primarily as large ships, stations, blasters, and distant galaxies. But it turned out that space, in reality, is satellites, communications, data, and security—or, conversely, the very hidden threat.

Modern warfare takes place across five domains: land, air, sea, cyberspace, and space. It’s often said that the side with the best technology prevails. This is true, but it also applies to having better access to up-to-date data, which is crucial for staying ahead of the enemy. Satellite data, for instance, directly influences the conduct of military operations.

Recently, we launched the Space Policy Office, which will handle Ukraine’s interests in space. This raised a number of questions, and in this article, I will address the most common ones.

Why Do the Armed Forces Need Space?

On February 24, 2022, the Russian assault began with an attack on satellite communications infrastructure. This was a deliberate strike. Why?

Satellite communications help manage military forces and plan drone operations. For precise missile strikes and efficient logistics, space capabilities are essential. Additionally, satellites are crucial for intelligence—they reveal troop movements, enemy positions, the number of personnel, and logistics. This information allows us to anticipate their actions and prepare accordingly. By the way, our DELTA combat system digital map is based on satellite imagery.

Satellite data and space programs are also necessary to protect both military and civilian assets. We need to detect Russian missile launches faster than we currently do—this is critical for our air defense systems. Therefore, dominance in space translates to a strategic advantage on the battlefield.

The ratio is 100:1. This is the proportion of Russian to Ukrainian satellites in this war: 100 Russian satellites versus one of ours—the “people’s” satellite from ICEYE. Yet, even with this one satellite and support from our partners, we are effectively countering the Russians. This collaboration provides invaluable experience with space technologies, but we cannot remain mere users forever. We need to gain sovereignty in this field. Developing military space capabilities is therefore our duty as a state.

What Will the Space Policy Office Do?

It will bring together all stakeholders involved in space activities and consolidate their efforts. This includes space companies, international partners, commercial firms, the scientific community, and, of course, the Armed Forces. The Office will operate in three areas:

Legislation: Specifically, developing the legal framework that will allow the military to expand its space capabilities. It’s crucial that space policy in Ukraine be effective, flexible, and adaptable, without bureaucratic obstacles.
Technological Expertise: This involves collaboration with scientific institutions, R&D structures, and developers, searching for relevant technologies and specialists. The Office will identify trends in space technology and other opportunities that can be integrated into the defense sector. It will also support scientific research, educational programs, and the broader innovation ecosystem to foster more breakthrough Ukrainian developments.
Coordination of Space Support: This will enable the Ministry of Defence to promptly supply the military with high-quality satellite data and technologies, effectively utilise resources, and achieve critical defense outcomes in the context of 21st-century warfare.

What Is the End Goal?

The answer is simple: to transform Ukraine from a user of data to a full-fledged player in the field of space technology. To this end, the Ministry of Defence has developed a clear 10-year roadmap. Here’s how it looks.

Over the next two years, the Space Policy Office will take three steps: auditing space infrastructure, identifying and analyzing critical needs, and developing strategic documents that will define the direction of the industry’s development.

Next, we will collaborate with partner countries to develop satellites, establish space situational awareness systems, and integrate them into defense technologies.

The final step is to create a comprehensive defense space segment—specifically, a satellite constellation that provides real-time analytics and is part of global security projects.

So, Space Is Truly an Evolving Domain?

Yes, and many countries are making space programs a priority, with satellites of their own already in orbit. For example, Syracuse-4 in France, SARah in Germany, and Kirameki-3 in Japan. South Korea has launched a satellite surveillance program for North Korea, and since 2023, it has had its own maneuverable satellite for military reconnaissance. France is developing satellite “guardians” for its primary satellites. There are also large-scale space initiatives in India, China, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia.

Space funding grows by 10-15% annually, and last year, global government spending on space programs reached a historic high of $135 billion. This record will be surpassed this year.

The United States remains the leader in spending, although its share of global expenditure has decreased from 75% in 2000 to 59% today, as other countries have increased their investments.

Are Military Space Forces Also Being Created?

Many countries have indeed established their own military space forces over the past decade. Remember the 100 Russian satellites? In 2015, Russia created the Aerospace Forces, responsible for managing satellites, launching spacecraft, and monitoring space objects. That same year, China entered the military space race by establishing the Space Systems Department of the People’s Liberation Army’s Strategic Support Force.

In 2019, the United States established a sixth branch of the armed forces—the Space Force. Its mission includes protecting U.S. interests and deterring acts of aggression through operations in space. In 2023, the U.S. Space Force conducted 74 rocket launches from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In 2024, they completed 93 missions, setting a new record.

That same year, India established the Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) under the Ministry of Defence to develop new space technologies for defense purposes. During anti-satellite weapon tests, Indian space forces successfully destroyed their own satellite in orbit. Even Iran has its own military space forces and several satellites, despite being under strict sanctions.

Countries like the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, and Germany have had military space forces since the last decade. By 2021, Spain, the Czech Republic, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan also established space forces. All of these countries recognize the importance of space in military strategies and are eager to protect their interests in this domain.

Ukraine possesses innovative technologies and advanced capabilities in aerospace and is ready to work with global partners to prevent a certain empire from receiving a response it may not expect.