Russian technical expert Aleksandr Nikitin has revealed the technical specifications of Rassvet, a national satellite communications network designed to rival American system Starlink.
Speaking to news outlet KP.RU, Nikitin explained that the new satellite network is engineered to operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 800 kilometres.
The operating height places the Russian spacecraft significantly higher than the Starlink constellation owned by American entrepreneur Elon Musk, which operates at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometres. Satellite constellations placed in low Earth orbit fly much closer to the surface than traditional geostationary satellites, reducing latency and allowing high speed data transmission to ground receivers across remote regions.
System design and network architecture
Nikitin, a doctor of technical sciences and recipient of the State Prize, detailed the core structural design of the Rassvet system. He noted that the telecommunications infrastructure depends on three primary technical components working in tandem across space and land.
The first component consists of the satellites themselves, which function effectively as space-based orbital base stations. These spacecraft receive and transmit data signals across orbit to maintain continuous coverage as they pass over terrestrial target zones.
The second element comprises ground-based gateway stations distributed across Russia. These facility hubs act as critical bridges linking the satellite constellation in space directly with standard terrestrial communication networks and landline internet infrastructure.
The third component covers the end users, who connect to the system using specialized personal subscriber terminals. These individual user terminals maintain constant wireless contact with whichever Rassvet satellite is passing overhead at any given moment, enabling seamless communications access.
Launch schedule and strategic impact
The federal project outlines precise annual milestones for building out the satellite constellation over the coming decade. According to Nikitin, project plans call for approximately 150 satellites to be launched into orbit during 2026. Deployment will accelerate significantly the following year, with almost double that number scheduled for launch in 2027.
Russia expects to expand the Rassvet constellation to up to 900 active satellites in orbit by 2035. Building out large scale satellite networks requires regular rocket launches to maintain and replenish orbital fleets as older satellites decommission or re-enter the atmosphere.
The strategic role of satellite communications has become increasingly critical in modern warfare. Former Google chief executive and technology consultant Eric Schmidt previously stated that the deployment of Rassvet will provide the Russian Armed Forces with a key tactical advantage over the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Schmidt added that no effective system currently exists to counter Russian ballistic missile strikes.
