March 25, 2026

First batch of Russian internet satellites reaches orbit, but a homegrown Starlink rival is still far off

First batch of Russian internet satellites reaches orbit, but a homegrown Starlink rival is still far off

TL;DR

  • Russia launched its first 16 Rassvet internet satellites on March 23.
  • The Rassvet constellation uses 5G NTN, plasma engines, and an upgraded power supply.
  • Experts compare Rassvet to OneWeb rather than Starlink due to its target market and terminal size.
  • Rassvet requires approximately 250 satellites for acceptable coverage across Russia.
  • Mass production of satellites and ground terminals is a significant technological barrier.
  • The project plans to orbit at least 300 satellites by 2028, with substantial budget and company funding allocated.

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