- Russia nears launch of another wave of Rassvet communications satellites
- A new launch notice points to another important milestone for the Rassvet network
- Russia plans hundreds of satellites to build independent communications network
A recent aviation advisory suggests that Russia is preparing to launch satellites for its Rassvet communications network in the coming days.
The notice, identified by a social media user who tracks Russian launches, points to a launch window at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome between July 11 and 16, 2026.
Roscosmos, the agency in charge of the country’s space program, has not confirmed the exact schedule and there is no official comment from the Russian government.
A constellation that has been developing for years
The first three Rassvet satellites reached orbit in 2023 aboard the Rassvet-1 mission from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, along with other Roscosmos payloads.
Those units served purely as test hardware, verifying data transmission, communications stability, and orbital behavior rather than offering a commercial service.
Three larger satellites followed in May 2024 under the Rassvet-2 mission, launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome as complete production prototypes for testing.
These prototypes tested satellite communications equipment compatible with the 5G NTN standard, along with laser links connecting satellites directly in orbit.
Production challenges reportedly impacted supply chains for critical components, contributing to schedule delays in multiple phases of the broader program.
In March, Bureau 1440 announced the launch of 16 satellites that will form the basis of the future Rassvet system, approximately three months behind the original schedule.
The advisory specifies that one or two launch vehicles could take off from Plesetsk during the five-day period identified by observers.
What is at stake in the military sphere behind the deployment schedule
Russia’s federal Internet access infrastructure project outlines a gradual deployment, with 156 satellites planned for 2026 and 292 for 2027.
The 2027 figure is considered sufficient for full commercial service, while the full constellation of 318 satellites is expected to be available by 2028.
Even a partial deployment between 2026 and 2027 would give the Russian military renewed access to a reliable Starlink-like communications system.
The urgency of the launch increased after SpaceX blocked Russia’s unauthorized use of its satellite internet system, prompting Moscow to seek alternative battlefield communications.
It recently tested a high-altitude stratospheric balloon relay network called Barrazh 1, designed to carry communications relay equipment to approximately 20 kilometers in the air.
Ukraine and Western nations have long relied on Starlink for battlefield connectivity, prompting Moscow to seek its own independent alternative system.
Such a capability could be used, among other applications, to help coordinate and directly guide attack drones through contested battlefield environments.
The ground terminals reportedly rely on active phased array technology, similar in principle to the hardware already used by Starlink users.
This design allows a terminal to automatically establish and maintain a stable link with aerial satellites, without requiring manual adjustments by operators.
It remains uncertain whether this specific release window materializes as scheduled, given Bureau 1440’s history of production delays and revised schedules.
If Rassvet proceeds according to the established schedule, it would mark a significant step towards completely reducing Russian dependence on foreign satellite networks.
Via Militarnyi
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds.
