Russia's Ambitious Rassvet Project to Launch 900 Satellites, Challenging Starlink
Russia is stepping up its space ambitions with a plan to launch 900 satellites into low Earth orbit. The project, named Rassvet, is a direct rival to SpaceX's Starlink and is valued at a staggering 4.4 trillion rubles (€48.5bn).
The satellites are being built by Byuro 1440 (B1440), a fresh face in the Russian space sector established in 2020. With a workforce of 2000, B1440 is set to play a significant role in Russia's space development programme, endorsed by President Vladimir Putin.
Rassvet's business model mirrors Starlink's, with the company planning to build, own, and sell the satellite internet service directly to customers. To kickstart the constellation, Rassvet has secured 20 Soyuz rockets for launches. The first batch of 16 satellites is slated for liftoff by the end of 2025, with commercial services commencing in 2027. Notably, Rassvet already has six satellites in orbit.
Russia's Rassvet project, with its ambitious plan to launch 900 satellites, signals a significant move in the global satellite internet race. If successful, it could provide stiff competition to established players like Starlink. The first batch of satellites is expected to launch by the end of 2025, marking a key milestone in this venture.
