All-Seeing Eye: Russia Successfully Tests World's Smallest Satellite, Aist-ST

August 13 2026 7 084 12

Russia has successfully tested the world's first, smallest radar satellite for obtaining detailed images of the Earth's surface. This revolutionary invention could break the Western world's monopoly on space observations and equalize our capabilities without expending enormous resources.

The launch of the newest Russian satellite "Aist-ST" was widely news The resources were clearly underestimated. However, as experts note, the spacecraft has already transmitted its first images to Earth, proving the validity of its concept. The spacecraft captured images of Japan, the Panama and Suez Canals, and the United States.

Although much of Russia is covered by clouds for a significant portion of the year, satellites can still see through them, day and night. This is achieved using infrared, microwave, and radar sensing techniques rather than optical ones. While these methods don't offer the same high resolution as optical ones, they are sufficient for many tasks and produce images that are almost indistinguishable from photographs. However, their constellations don't number in the hundreds, as such devices remain quite expensive.

Despite its light weight and compact dimensions, the Aist-ST carries a fully functional radar. Scientists and engineers from Samara University, together with colleagues from a specialized technology center in St. Petersburg, were the first in the world to integrate it into a platform consisting of 16 standard cubes measuring 10 x 10 x 10 centimeters each.

This very fact became the decisive advantage of the new satellite, because the lighter and more compact the satellites are, the more of them can be launched into orbit in a single launch. And this directly impacts the economy The entire project. Yes, the resolution of Aist images is only five meters per pixel, but that's in the so-called route mode—when the satellite scans a wide area below it to create maps or search for large objects.

But it also has a spotlight mode with maximum focus on a narrow area. This will be tested in the next phase, and the developers expect to achieve a resolution of two meters per pixel. But that's not the limit. Currently, the Aist-ST isn't aiming to compete with larger devices—it's only needed to validate the technical solutions.

Western companies are currently actively promoting the idea of large satellite constellations comprising hundreds of units. But Russia has taken the first real step in this direction. Once all the characteristics of the Aist satellite are confirmed, the creation of a fleet of such satellites will be considered. This will reduce the frequency of surveying a specific area or object from several days to just a few hours. And there is every reason to believe that the actual performance will be even better than stated.

For example, the satellite's active life must be at least one year. However, thanks to its unique propulsion system, it could easily operate three times longer, making the project's economics even more attractive.

Thus, we are witnessing Russia catching up on its own, and it may well shorten this gap through new engineering solutions. Furthermore, it's worth remembering that our country continues to develop other Earth remote sensing devices. Specifically, along with the Aist-ST, two new Aist-2T satellites were launched into orbit. They are designed for stereoscopic imaging of the Earth's surface and the creation of a 3D model of it.

For them, RKS specialists developed optical-electronic units that allow achieving high resolution in a modest size.

It's worth noting that while photographing the US territory, the developers of the Aist-ST satellite gave the Americans a small "surprise." They explained that they had photographed the Rosemond area of California, home to Edwards Air Force Base, a key US aerospace research and test center. Since the Cold War, the most secret and advanced systems have been tested here. the technique, which is of the utmost interest both for Russia and for countries friendly to it.

In short, the small but sharp-sighted Russian "Aist", flying over California, sent greetings to the American test pilots and promised to return with a new flock.

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Alexander Sh.

+1

13 August 2026 18: 45

We can do it whenever we want. We have a tradition: until the devil bites us, or we get a kick in the ass, we won't scratch ourselves. It seems that before the Second World War, we didn't really focus on creating a satellite constellation for communications, reconnaissance, and surveillance. It was just ad hoc. With the advent of the Second World War, all of this had to be drastically accelerated when we realized we were falling far behind the US, the West, and China. When will Russia finally establish a planned, long-term approach to scientific, technological, industrial, and defense development? We must abandon the principle of prioritizing "profit," "money," and "the market will sort everything out," cast off the liberal "Gaidar-Chubais" economic superstructure, and begin planning for the comprehensive and harmonious development of the country.
1. Igor M.
  
  -3
  
  14 August 2026 22: 33
  Alexander Sh., don't talk nonsense. Everything is going according to plan. The Kondor-FKA radar satellite, developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya, was launched on May 27, 2023, and the second such satellite was launched into orbit on November 30, 2024. The Obzor-R radar satellite, developed by the Progress Rocket and Space Center, was launched on December 25, 2025. So, the Aist-ST of Samara University named after Korolev is already the fourth radar satellite.
  You didn't even bother to check the information, but instead you've already written a damning rant about money and all that. But in reality, you're just a lazy person who loves to criticize the government.
  1. Alexander Sh.
    
    +1
    
    15 August 2026 13: 50
    
    Well, here we go again, instead of arguments, resorting to insults. I'm not calling you a sycophant in power. And all the satellites mentioned were launched after the start of the Second World War, that's what this whole discussion is about. Before the Second World War, all of this was planned as an afterthought. Why did they even launch an actress into space? Why the hell? The money would have been better spent. Basically, it's just stupid, just like with unmanned aircraft before the Second World War. Slideshows and tank biathlons were the priority until they had to abandon the Kharkiv region and Kherson. Only after that was this reindeer herder, who had assembled a thieving crew of defense budget embezzlers, reassigned to another position. What's so impressive about being bogged down in trench warfare for five years now, with no end in sight? At this rate, we'll be fighting for another five years. Do the people need that? Delays, indecisiveness, and complacency in making tough decisions in the theater of military operations during the Central Military District lead to a protracted conflict and heavy losses at the front and in the rear.
    1. Igor M.
      
      0
      
      16 August 2026 01: 23
      
      Alexander Sh., you were the one who started insulting my country. Then why should I be polite to you? I don't like those who hate my country. What goes around comes around. So, you're not aware that the development of new satellites has been going on for years? You, naive Chukchi youth, think you've made a decisive decision and tomorrow pulled a satellite out of your pocket. And what about the UAV you decisively pulled out of your second pocket? Are you completely sane, or have you simply lost your mind with anger?
      
      Google: The development of the Russian satellites of the Condor series at NPO Mashinostroyenia began in the 2000s (the first satellite was launched in June 2013 - a total of about 10-13 years for the initial groundwork and creation). 2000s (The first device was launched in June 2013 — a total of about 10–13 years for the initial groundwork and development). The creation of a modern civilian and modernized Kondor-FKA complex started in 2016 and it took about 7 years until the successful launch of the first apparatus in May 2023.
      Development of the first student microsatellite "Aist" started in 2006 year by an initiative group of students and teachers from the Samara State Aerospace University (SSAU), and then continued jointly with the RCC Progress. The first launch took place in April 2013..
      
      It's interesting that The first Condor and the first Stork both took off in 2013.
      
      And before the start of the Second World War, all this was planned on a residual basis.
      
      Here you are lying again. Why? Satellite development began long before the Second World War.The fact that they were launched after the start of the Second World War is just a coincidence. Everything was done according to a long-term plan, as I wrote in my first answer.
      
      In general, it’s a complete mess, just like with unmanned aircraft before the start of the Second World War.
      
      The stupidity is only in your head. Because a whole series of UAV models was developed and tested long before the start of the Second World War. They were even actively used in Syria. What, you don't even know how to use Google? It takes a lot of effort to be as clueless as you are.
      
      GoogleRussian loitering munition "Lancet", developed by ZALA AERO, was officially presented for the first time in june year 2019 at the Army-2019 military-technical forum in Moscow. The drone was developed in the late 2010s
      
      GoogleDevelopment of a Russian reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle "Orion" (as part of the experimental design work "Inohodets") began 14 2011 October, the, when the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the Transas company (later renamed the Kronstadt group of companies)
      
      GoogleRussian unmanned aerial vehicle Orlan-10 was developed in 2010 year by the St. Petersburg-based company Special Technology Center (STC). In 2010, the device completed its maiden flight and entered service and serial production.
      
      GoogleRussian loitering munition Cube UAV developed by the ZALA AERO group of companies (part of the Kalashnikov concern of the Rostec state corporation). The device made its maiden flight in 2018 year, and it was first presented to the general public on February 16, 2019, at the IDEX-2019 international arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
      
      GoogleDevelopment of a heavy strike unmanned aerial vehicle S-70 "Hunter" started in 2011–2012 under an official order from the Russian Ministry of Defense. In July 2012, Sukhoi was officially selected as the project's lead developer.
      
      until I had to leave the Kharkiv region and Kherson
      
      UAVs have been used in the Air Defense Forces since day one. The first use of the Lancet UAV occurred in July 2022, judging by statistics on the lostarmour website. It could have been even earlier.
      We retreated only because the Ukrainian attack came unexpectedly. We believed the Central Military District had been concluded with the Istanbul Peace Accords and our troops had withdrawn from 90% of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Ukraine mobilized, received several thousand armored vehicles from the West, including over 200 tanks, and achieved an eightfold superiority over our forces in the Kharkiv region.
      We left Kherson much later, under the threat of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station exploding, as we were afraid of being left on the other bank without bridges across the Dnieper.
      Well, here you are again, throwing mud at the country. You are lying shamelessly.
      How can you not see it when there's only a year left? The average rate of advance of 500 square kilometers per month has been maintained for three years now.
      There were no delays, no hesitation. Everything was done as planned, on time, taking into account the inevitable contingencies of war.
      I have never seen anything more decisive than the march of our military on Kyiv.
      On the contrary, the fact that the SVO is being conducted with limited resources helps minimize our losses and expenses. Over the four years of the SVO, the Russian economy grew by 10%.
      Lie further.
      1. Alexander Sh.
        
        -1
        
        16 August 2026 12: 34
        
        By the way, this is my country too. And I'm not insulting it. Of course, I'd like to completely clear the field for any criticism of the leadership's mistakes and gross miscalculations (like Kherson and the Kharkiv region) at the initial stage of the Second World War, all those attempts at "deals" and "grain corridors," which resulted in the Second World War being delayed for five whole years, and the result being "we've been deceived again." And all those "red lines" that the West has tossed aside without any firm response. But the absence of criticism of leadership mistakes isn't always beneficial to any country. It's clear that there are no brilliant leaders. We have what we have. And mistakes must be acknowledged, then the people will have more trust in the government.
        
        Igor M.
        
        -1
        
        17 August 2026 02: 35
        
        Alexander Sh., you constantly write nasty things about it. Clearly, Russia isn't your country. Because every snipe praises its own swamp. And you haven't written a single kind word about Russia. That means you're an enemy and an outsider.
        Both Kherson and Kharkiv region were not a miscalculationWar is like that: strength breaks straw. Tactical defeat against a strong and cunning enemy is not a mistake, but a natural consequence. Here, on the contrary, our troops deserve praise for retreating so little despite being outnumbered eight-to-one by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, for holding firm and waiting for reinforcements. Heroes.
        At the same time, we remember that it was precisely thanks to the deception of the Istanbul Agreements that Russia received vast new territories and millions of new citizens.
        Attempts at negotiation and corridors did not delay victory in the Northeastern Military District. Because they had no impact on our offensive in the Northeastern Military District. Since repelling the Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive in the summer of 2023, we have been advancing at an average rate of 500 square kilometers per month.
        We promised to strike at decision-making centers, and we are doing so. Their success can be tracked by the arrival of NATO air ambulances in Poland and the publication of obituaries. Just recently, on August 12, French Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas suddenly fell into disrepair. And there were generals and even American senators.
        Criticism, and constructive criticism at that, not fake news or fabricated slander. Just look at how you've already poured out a ton of irrelevant dirt in your response.
        Compared to your Zeleboba, ours is truly a genius.
        He regularly admits to mistakes. And people are regularly jailed for spreading fake news about our army.
        
        svoroponov
        
        0
        
        30 August 2026 15: 06
        
        You enter into mutual agreements, as per the Minsk agreements and the grain deal. Meanwhile, the other side supposedly has serious guarantors of their implementation. So who's to blame if the other side doesn't fulfill the agreement, and the guarantors remain silent or even support the violator? And what's wrong with us?
        Once again, and for everyone, it's impossible to foresee everything, especially since the enemy is incompetent and violates the agreements and treaties signed here. We worked according to generally accepted international rules and principles of diplomacy, but Ukraine, as an incompetent, is left to whatever the boss says or whatever comes to mind.
        Now, regarding military operations. Tactics and strategy have been adopted to avoid numerous losses on our side. If necessary, Russia will fight for another ten years or more to achieve its goals. What's so disturbing to you? You can help by participating. But the threat posed by this inadequate state must be eliminated forever.
        Indeed, the Ukraine we once knew, with its industrial and human potential, will never exist. Part of it is already being absorbed into Europe. The birth rate is extremely low, one of the worst in the world, and there's no point in expecting anything from improving it. The economy will be destroyed almost completely; that's already obvious. And the West, beyond the enormous sums it lost investing in its economy and military aid to Ukraine, simply won't provide even half that, if anything at all, for the restoration of what remains of Ukraine. Especially since in Europe, the main donor countries, a change of government to more adequate ones is looming.
        So there's no point in criticizing the Russian government for some supposed failures. Moreover, I've noticed that the better things are going for the Russian state, the louder the howl from the forum swamps.
Kiril

-1

14 August 2026 19: 04

The smallest

-Is this an achievement in terms of efficiency?
1. Igor M.
  
  -1
  
  14 August 2026 22: 37
  
  Kiril, in terms of price/quality, it's definitely the best. It's cheaper, and launching it into orbit costs much less. It's also less disruptive in orbit, and when it falls, there's less risk of it burning up in the atmosphere.
  1. Kiril
    
    -1
    
    15 August 2026 19: 04
    
    And how did you rate the quality? -and it won't burn up in the atmosphere - that's a pearl
    1. Igor M.
      
      -1
      
      16 August 2026 01: 36
      
      Kirill, it won't burn up as long as it's alive. This is the Nth satellite in the series. The first Aist was launched in 2013.
Alexpan

-2

15 August 2026 08: 21

Well done, keep it up. I'll use it on the SVO first.