Russia's Rassvet satellite system aims to rival Starlink: Ukraine's intel reveals details
Russian Federation develops Starlink alternative—Rassvet system (photo: t.me/bureau)
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) identified the developers and manufacturers behind Russia's Rassvet project, a low-Earth-orbit satellite broadband communications system.
The system includes a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, ground-based control infrastructure, gateway stations, and subscriber terminals for fixed and mobile platforms.
The manufacturing network brings together IT companies, microelectronics manufacturers, research centers, Roscosmos entities, and structures within Russia's Ministry of Defense.
The main company implementing the project is Bureau 1440, which is part of the X Holding IT conglomerate. The holding's companies supply components and manufacture solar panels, subscriber equipment, printed circuit boards, electronic modules, and other system components.
Roscosmos and other Russian aerospace companies develop and manufacture launch vehicles and upper stages, electric propulsion systems, and other satellite components; adapt satellites; prepare them for launch; and place them into orbit.
At Roscosmos, the corporation's head Dmitry Bakanov oversees the Rassvet project directly. He previously headed Russia's Spuntikovaya sistema Gonets (Gonets Satellite System) company, including during its cooperation with British company OneWeb and the establishment of a joint venture to develop low-Earth orbit satellite communications services on the Russian market.
Structures within Russia's Ministry of Defense oversee the spaceport's operations, coordination, and the system's integration into Russia's military communications infrastructure. VTB Bank was among the investors that provided financial support for the development and creation of Rassvet.
According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Rassvet is primarily a military communications system for Russia. Moscow plans to use it extensively in support of its armed forces in the future.
In particular, plans already include integrating the satellites into a space-based system to provide targeting data to missile weapons and equipping command vehicles for the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system with subscriber terminals. The planned coverage is primarily intended to include Ukraine and the European Union.
Earlier reports said Russia placed the first 16 production satellites into orbit in March. In late May, Ukrainian expert Serhii Beskrestnov said the satellites were operating in test mode, with no signs of military use at the time. He estimated that at least 200–250 satellites would be needed for stable communications.
The second production launch took place on July 19. Independent databases indicate the launch placed another 16 satellites into orbit. Moscow will need more than 250 satellites to provide the round-the-clock coverage it promised.
