Satellite infrastructure for state capacity: global trends and Ukrainian pathways to sustainable development
Abstract
This article examines how satellite infrastructure–satellite communications, Earth observation, and satellite navigation–can function as core state capacity, enabling better policy, service delivery, and resilience. The aim is to synthesize global technological and market trends, translate them into governance-relevant insights, and propose Ukrainian pathways that accelerate sustainable development. Methodologically, the study combines a structured review of standards and industry evidence with comparative benchmarking of policy instruments, a demand-first mapping of priority public-sector use cases, and a feasibility–impact assessment that informs a 2025–2030 implementation roadmap.
The analysis identifies five shifts reshaping the opportunity set for governments: rapid deployment of LEO constellations; standardization of non-terrestrial networks enabling direct-to-device services; maturation of AI-enabled EO analytics; modernization of secure and high-accuracy GNSS; and the rise of open data ecosystems and public–private partnerships. These shifts, when orchestrated as integrated platforms, improve inclusion (coverage and affordability for citizens and SMEs), resilience (redundant communications and risk monitoring), productivity (optimization in agriculture, energy, and logistics), and governance (evidence-based planning and digital-twin adoption).
For Ukraine, the paper proposes a sequenced agenda: near-term pilots in NTN/direct-to-device, EO-AI services, and secure GNSS for critical infrastructure; medium-term build-out of shared ground and edge assets and interoperable data marketplaces; and long-term institutionalization through mission-oriented procurement, spectrum stewardship, and capability development.
The contribution is an implementation-oriented framework that links concrete public-sector needs to enabling technology stacks and measurable outcomes, offering a practical blueprint for leveraging satellite infrastructure to strengthen state capacity and deliver sustainable development
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References
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