Rassvet satellite system developed by Bureau 1440 to rival Starlink

Russia is accelerating the development of Rassvet, a low Earth orbit satellite communication system designed by the private aerospace company Bureau 1440 to serve as a counterweight to SpaceX’s Starlink.

Bureau 1440 has introduced several terminal models for the system. The 1440.ULTRA model is designed for industrial sites and remote areas, capable of data speeds up to 700 Mbps. The 1440.ZEMLYA terminal is optimized for high-speed rail, supporting connectivity for vehicles traveling at 400 km/h. Additionally, the compact 1440.MINI aims for speeds of 100 Mbps, intended for mobile use by emergency services and rescue teams.

Technically, Rassvet operates at an altitude of approximately 800 km, which is higher than Starlink’s 550 km orbit. The system aims to provide data speeds up to 1 Gbps with minimal latency. Following the successful launch of a second batch of satellites in July, the project intends to expand from its current 32 satellites to approximately 250 commercial satellites by 2027, with a long-term goal of over 900 satellites by 2035 to achieve global coverage.