Rassvet satellite network expansion by Russia aims to rival Starlink, boost drone operations and secure digital sovereignty amid sanctions.
Rassvet satellite network expansion by Russia is now being positioned as a direct challenge to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, foreign media reports say.
According to the reports, Russia has moved to expand its domestically developed Rassvet satellite network as part of a wider strategy to strengthen independent communication capacity.
The Russian government’s key objectives are to establish digital sovereignty and improve battlefield drone operations through the project.
The initiative is being carried out by the Russian private space company Bureau 1440, which plans to place 156 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
Russian authorities say the number is expected to rise to 900 satellites by 2035.
The new satellite system is equipped with 5G technology, allowing the Russian military to control combat drones on the battlefield with greater accuracy and with less exposure to enemy electronic interference.
The system is also intended to provide high-speed internet access to remote Russian regions, including the Arctic and the Far East.
Plans are already in place to provide satellite communication on high-speed trains in cooperation with the Russian railway service.
Building an independent communication network and reducing reliance on foreign systems has become a major goal for Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially amid Western sanctions.
Reports indicate that Rassvet satellites will operate in a higher orbit, at approximately 800 kilometers, compared to Starlink. This could allow Russia to cover a larger land area with fewer satellites.
Russia is expected to invest 515 billion rubles, approximately US$ 7 billion, in the project.
Russian company executives say Rassvet is not a copy or full replica of Starlink, but an independent development in communication technology.
It has also been reported that one Rassvet satellite fell out of orbit in March due to a technical malfunction.
