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Ukraine and Czechia Are Launching Suziria Satellite Constellation for Optical Reconnaissance
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Amira Barkhush")
Ukraine and Czechia are launching a satellite constellation for optical reconnaissance, named “Suziria.”
This was announced by the editor-in-chief of the Czech publication Armádní Noviny, Jan Grohmann, in his blog on Militarnyi.
Grohmann wrote that in October 2022, the governments of Czechia and Ukraine reached a political agreement to establish a defense cluster. As part of this initiative, a project for Czech-Ukrainian cooperation in space was launched, which includes the formation of the “Suziria” satellite monitoring constellation.
The key component of the constellation will be TROLL-type satellites, with future Czech-Ukrainian satellites set to join them. The second element of the constellation will be the Drak satellite, currently under development by companies within the Czech Brno Space Cluster.
The first TROLL satellite, developed by the Czech company TRL Space, was launched into orbit in January 2025. Its main advantage is the integrated hyperspectral camera with a 10 cm lens diameter.
This camera is capable of capturing images of the Earth’s surface with a resolution of less than 5 meters per pixel (GSD – Ground Sample Distance).
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The Drak satellite is being developed specifically for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in collaboration with Ukrainian specialists. It is being produced by companies linked to the Czech Brno Space Cluster, with TRL Space acting as the main project integrator.
Grohmann notes that Drak is not the same as TROLL. The satellite will be built on a larger platform and, instead of a hyperspectral camera, will be equipped with a camera designed for the visible light spectrum with extremely high resolution—less than one meter per pixel. For security reasons, more precise details won’t be provided.
“The satellite will capture images of Ukrainian territory several times a day, providing Ukrainian authorities with information on Russian troop movements,” Grohmann wrote. I
“Importantly, Ukrainians will have direct control over the satellites and full access to the images, reducing their reliance on the unpredictability of commercial satellite operators.”
The first satellite is expected to be launched in 2026, with the fifth and final one set for 2031.
“These satellites will not only assist Ukraine but will also play a crucial role in the security of Central and Eastern Europe,” Grohmann added.
Previously, Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence released high-resolution satellite images of Russian assets and positions, as one of the two ICEYE satellites continues to operate beyond its planned lifespan.
