Russia’s Rassvet Batch Falls Short of Orbit, Complicating Starlink Alternative

Russia’s second batch of 16 Rassvet satellites failed to reach the planned 550 km orbit, with most staying at 300–400 km or decaying and at least two reportedly on a path to reentry, according to ISW. The setback undermines Moscow’s effort to field a Starlink-style network for Ukraine and highlights Russia’s limited launch capacity and the need for hundreds of satellites to achieve around-the-clock coverage; Ukrainian strikes on launch infrastructure could further delay progress, though even a partial constellation could still offer limited communications windows for Russian forces.