Russia launches first Rassvet satellites to build sovereign internet network

Russian company Bureau 1440 has successfully launched the first 16 satellites of the Rassvet constellation from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The deployment, which took place on 23 March at 8:24 pm Moscow time using a Soyuz-2.1B launcher, marks the transition from the experimental phase to the creation of a functional communication service. This initial batch is the first step in an ambitious project designed to build a sovereign satellite internet network covering the entirety of Russia by 2030.

The system is being overseen by the Defence Ministry rather than the Roscosmos space agency, highlighting its dual-use nature for both civilian and military communications. Funding for the initiative comes from the Ministry of Communications, which has allocated 100 billion rubles, with the company reportedly prepared to invest an additional 300 billion rubles. President Vladimir Putin described the launch as a great event, while the Defence Ministry has indicated that the cosmodrome is capable of withstanding attempted attacks on such critical infrastructure.

Bureau 1440 claims the team completed the path from experimental to production satellites in 1,000 days. The constellation is designed to provide broadband speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second with a signal latency of up to 70 milliseconds. Unlike commercial competitors such as Starlink, which focus on densely populated areas, Rassvet utilises a near-polar orbit with an inclination of 81.4 degrees. This configuration ensures stable signals in remote regions, including Crimea and the Arctic, by flying over the territory from south to north.

The operational details suggest a strategic focus on institutional and corporate customers in difficult-to-access regions. The satellites operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 800 km, compared to the lower orbits of many commercial constellations. Experts note that while the technology is similar to existing systems, the real challenge lies in industrialising the system on a large scale to reach a target of up to 350 satellites by the 2030 deadline.

Bureau 1440 was established in 2020 as a division of Megafon and was incorporated into Iks Holding in 2022. The parent company is linked to the development of surveillance systems and internet blockers used to restrict online traffic within Russia. The connection to state intelligence structures suggests the project serves broader goals of digital sovereignty and future conflict management, extending beyond simple internet provision.

Despite the ambitious timeline, analysts warn that achieving the required production pace of one or two satellites a week remains a significant hurdle for the Russian space industry. Until a lighter, cheaper terminal infrastructure is developed and serial production is sustained, the network will face years of development before offering stable coverage even within Russian territory.