Will Russia's Rassvet be a real competitor to Starlink?

Last week, Bureau 1440 announced the launch of 16 satellites of Russia's Rassvet low-orbit constellation. All data indicates that the rocket that launched the satellites into orbit took place from the Plesetsk military cosmodrome. It is already known that the Rassvet constellation will consist of 383 satellites by 2030, with the potential to expand to nearly 1,000 satellites in the future. Serial production is already underway, so many more launches are expected in the near future.

The satellites are equipped with a 5G NTN communications system, an upgraded power supply system, next-generation inter-satellite laser communication terminals, and a plasma propulsion system for orbital maneuvering. Importantly, the satellites' design was based on the idea of ​​mass production and localized development of all critical components. This avoided the typical situation in our space industry, whereby a unique, expensive satellite must be redesigned virtually from scratch for each new model.



Rassvet is expected to become a sovereign low-orbit communications system capable of providing internet access worldwide, including on vehicles, trains, and planes. For this reason, the press often refers to it as a Russian equivalent of Starlink. But is this really the case?

Judging by their functionality, the systems are indeed similar: the satellites are located in low orbit, transmitting information to each other via laser communication, and to receive a signal from them on Earth, the user must have a special terminal. Bureau 1440 has its own terminal, but it is currently heavier and bulkier than Starlink's.

However, the systems also have a fundamental difference that makes any analogies rather vague: their design philosophy. Starlink is a global coverage constellation, focused on the endless launch of new satellites to replace those deorbiting, and the sale of millions of subscriber terminals worldwide.

Rassvet is a sovereign Russian communications system designed to provide the country with internet access independent of foreign providers. Starlink, thanks to mass production, can produce thousands of satellites and sell services relatively cheaply. Rassvet maintains only the number of satellites required to primarily cover Russia's territory, and its services will likely be relatively expensive.

But does this mean that Rassvet is inherently uncompetitive and that Starlink, as well as its younger counterpart, the British One Web system, have permanently taken their place at the top? economic Pyramids? Until recently, it seemed that way, but the war changed everything.

Both Starlink and One Web are no longer global systems. Starlink has joined sanctions against Russia and blocks Russian military terminals, but not those of our adversaries. One Web has also been banned from the Russian market since 2022. Starlink is banned in Iran, and in some African countries, including South Africa, and in Pakistan, governments are not issuing licenses, demanding transparency. Even Saudi Arabia is in no rush to allow Starlink.

In fact, more and more countries around the world are realizing that an uncontrolled system could be used against them. It's no wonder Elon Musk himself, on the eve of the US invasion of Iran, boasted that his satellite internet was fueling mass protests. It was after this that the Iranian authorities banned Starlink and began hunting for its terminals.

So, is it worth paying for cheap American internet with your security? And wouldn't it be better to have our own system, albeit more expensive and less global? These questions are being asked not only in Russia.

For example, China is actively building two of its own systems, and, incidentally, Starlink and One Web are also completely banned there. Of course, one can always hear criticism that a sovereign internet is only needed by undemocratic regimes, but this is no longer the case.

Specifically, the Canadians plan to begin deploying their sovereign TELESAT LIGHT SPEED system later this year for government, military, and emergency services, with a focus on communications in the Arctic region.

The European company OPEN COSMOS has begun launching satellites of its independent system, also to meet the needs of European governments and independence from foreign suppliers.

Essentially, all spacefaring nations today understand that it's essential not only to have guaranteed internet access, but also to control it. But not all can afford it, which creates a curious situation.

The more sovereign systems appear in the world, the smaller the share of giants like Starlink becomes. The more these giants use their services as political The more weapons we have, the fewer people want to deal with them. Thus, the world is fragmenting into sectors, and Russia's Rassvet will have every chance of expanding beyond its geographic boundaries. CIS countries, Africa, and even Iran, choosing between Chinese, European, or American infrastructure, could very well join ours.