● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 negative
Russian Rassvet Satellites Fail to Reach Operational Orbit, Hindering Internet Project
Key points
- Second batch of 16 Rassvet satellites failed to reach 870km target.
- Many satellites from second batch are at 300-400km altitude.
- Two satellites from the second batch are re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
- None of the 32 Rassvet satellites launched have reached target orbit.
- Rassvet project aims for 924 satellites by 2035.
Rassvet Satellites Fail to Reach Target Altitude
The second group of 16 Russian Rassvet satellites did not achieve their planned operational altitude of 870 kilometers. Data from N2YO, cited by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), indicates that many of these satellites are orbiting between 300 and 400 kilometers. Two satellites from this batch are already re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
Previous Launch Also Faced Issues
This issue follows a similar problem with the first batch of Rassvet satellites launched in March. Of the 32 satellites launched across two missions, none have reached their intended operational orbit of 800 kilometers (500 miles). The highest altitude achieved by any Rassvet satellite is approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles), with 12 satellites from the first launch settling at this altitude.
Impact on Russia's Satellite Internet Project
The Rassvet program, developed by Bureau 1440, is Russia's state-funded initiative to create a satellite internet constellation, intended as an alternative to Starlink. The program aims to deploy 924 satellites by 2035. The current deployment issues could hinder the project's goal of having approximately 300 satellites in orbit by the end of next year to provide connectivity for military and civilian users.
Orbital Mechanics and Engine Performance
The rockets that launched the Rassvet satellites released them at lower altitudes than their operational orbits. The satellites were expected to use their own plasma engines to raise their orbits over several months. The current orbital decay and failure to reach target altitudes suggest potential issues with this process.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
How outlets covered it
Russia's Rassvet satellite internet program has launched 32 satellites, but none have reached their intended 800-kilometer operational orbit. At least three satellites have likely failed, with one reentering the atmosphere and two others failing to raise altitude, indicating potential issues with the program's initial deployment phase.
The entire second batch of 16 Russian Rassvet internet satellites failed to reach their intended operational altitude of 870 kilometers, with many remaining between 300 and 400 kilometers and two already re-entering Earth's atmosphere. This failure significantly hinders Russia's state-funded satellite internet project, which aims to provide an alternative to Starlink, and will likely require a revision of its 2027 operational satellite target.