The key facts
- Russia's orbital constellation numbers almost 400 satellites, about 30 of them in the Rassvet system of Bureau 1440
- Mishustin expects a noticeable increase in the number of Rassvet satellites within two years
- Serial production should cut satellite costs by about a third; more than 4 trillion rubles have been allocated for space activities over 11 years
Nearly 400 satellites and plans for two years
Russia's orbital constellation comprises almost 400 spacecraft, about 30 of which are part of the Rassvet (Dawn) system designed for broadband internet access. These figures were cited by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a strategic session titled , as reported by Life.ru. According to him, Russia intends to speed up the deployment of its own satellite systems, and over the next two years the number of Rassvet satellites should, in the prime minister's words, grow noticeably.
Serial production and funding
The key tool for acceleration is named as the transition to serial production of satellites: according to preliminary government estimates, this will cut their manufacturing cost by roughly a third. To this end, new production facilities are being created in Russian regions. Mishustin also recalled that more than four trillion rubles in budget funds have been allocated for the development of space activities over 11 years, and the government expects to involve private companies in the projects more actively.
The Rassvet system and its tasks
The Rassvet system is being developed by the Russian company Bureau 1440. It is intended for satellite communications, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas, and in the future should provide broadband internet to residents and enterprises beyond the coverage of terrestrial networks. The stated plans remain intentions of the government for now: no actual increase in the constellation is being discussed, only estimates and facilities under construction.
The military aspect, according to the Ukrainian side
Earlier the same outlet reported that the Rassvet system has attracted the attention of Ukrainian intelligence: Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (GUR), claimed that the satellites could be used to communicate with drones. According to him, the constellation does not yet provide continuous coverage, but a further increase in the number of satellites could expand the system's capabilities. This is an assessment by the Ukrainian side, not a confirmed fact of use; it shows that the declared growth of the constellation is being viewed outside Russia in a military-applied context as well.
