Hungary has launched its first sovereign geosynchronous satellite program, HUSAT, with Northrop Grumman as the satellite supplier and a collaboration that includes 4iG Space and Defence Technologies.

The project emphasizes speed, scale, and proven production capabilities to deliver ready-now technologies for allied security and resilience in Europe.

The satellite will enable secure Ka-band communications for government and commercial use across the region.

International partners are contributing components: Vertex for ground antenna systems, TelePIX for imaging payloads, and MetaSensing for synthetic aperture radar capabilities.

The initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding among the collaborating companies to pursue space and defence programs.

The collaboration aims to strengthen US-Hungary relations and national security through advanced space technologies.

Previously, 4iG signaled ongoing U.S.-Hungary space industry ties by planning investments in Axiom Space, broadening strategic ambitions beyond Hungary’s borders.

The program signals Europe’s shift toward sovereign space capabilities, allowing countries to control satellite tasking, data, and operations amid geopolitical tensions and cost pressures.

In addition to HUSAT, 4iG is collaborating with L3Harris Technologies to integrate local production and support for the HIMARS artillery rocket system, widening defense ties with the United States.

HUSAT is part of a broader plan that envisions a constellation of eight Earth observation satellites, with 4iG Space and Defense Technologies managing the imaging platforms.

4iG also signed an agreement with Apex to explore a joint venture for building small satellites in Europe to meet demand for large-scale constellations.

The HUSAT platform will use Northrop Grumman’s GEOStar-3 spacecraft, a proven backbone with a track record of more than 50 missions.