All articles tagged with #rassvet
Ukraine faces a critical communications gap after US-imposed restrictions on Starlink military access, while Russia advances its own satellite network, Rassvet, to fill the void. Kyiv is seeking EU support and sanctions against Russian and Chinese partners, but Moscow is accelerating deployment despite technical setbacks.
Two latest-generation Rassvet-3 satellites are expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere by late October and early November, marking another setback for Russia's attempt to build a domestic alternative to Starlink. The satellites, launched in July 2026, failed to reach their intended 800 km orbit and are currently decaying from altitudes between 250 km and 512 km. This follows earlier de-orbiting incidents in June and a broader pattern of launch failures since March, where only a fraction of the 32 satellites launched have achieved sustainable orbits. While the constellation currently offers limited functionality, with approximately 24 functioning satellites providing up to two hours of daily connectivity for Russian forces in Ukraine, experts doubt the program will achieve robust coverage soon. Russia aims to expand the network to 250 satellites by 2027, but current technical and logistical challenges suggest a slow and difficult path to viability.
Russia's Rassvet satellite network faces severe technical setbacks as its second batch fails to reach operational altitudes, limiting battlefield communications. The Institute for the Study of War reports that atmospheric drag at lower orbits will shorten satellite lifespans, delaying continuous coverage. While the first batch offers limited connectivity windows, the program lacks the launch capacity and infrastructure to achieve the 200-300 satellites required for stable, round-the-clock service.
Russia’s attempt to build a Starlink alternative, the Rassvet constellation, has faced severe technical setbacks. The second batch of 16 satellites launched in July failed to reach their intended orbit, with most stuck at lower altitudes or decaying. While the first batch had partial success, overall operational rates remain low, delaying Moscow’s goal of 24/7 battlefield communications.
Russia’s Rassvet satellite program, intended as a military alternative to Starlink, has suffered a major setback. The second batch of 16 satellites launched in July failed to reach their intended operational altitude, with some already decaying toward Earth. This failure highlights Russia’s limited launch capacity and the strategic impact of losing Starlink access in February 2026.