Rassvet satellite project faces orbital altitude failures

Russia’s attempt to build a sovereign satellite internet constellation, Rassvet, is facing significant technical setbacks. Developed by Bureau 1440, the project aims to provide an alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink, particularly for Russian military operations and connecting remote regions like Siberia and the Arctic.

Recent data indicates that the latest series of 16 satellites failed to reach their intended operational altitude of approximately 800 kilometers. Instead, they remain in much lower orbits between 300 and 400 kilometers. At these lower altitudes, atmospheric drag is more pronounced, which can shorten the operational lifespan of the satellites or cause them to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that while some satellites have settled into stable lower orbits that could provide intermittent connectivity, the inability to reach the target altitude suggests delays in the deployment schedule.

The push for Rassvet was accelerated after SpaceX restricted the use of Starlink terminals by Russian forces in Ukraine. While Bureau 1440 has launched a total of 32 satellites to date, the failure of the most recent batch to reach the planned orbit poses a challenge to Moscow’s goal of achieving technological autonomy in space-based communications.