The first satellites in Russia’s Rassvet constellation are doing unexpected maneuvers
The first sixteen satellites in Russia’s Rassvet constellation — its intended answer to SpaceX’s Starlink — are doing unexpected maneuvers that do not match the orbits assigned according to its International Telecommunications Union (ITU) filings.
According to filings with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Buro-1440 planned to deploy its constellation in a 800-kilometer orbit with an inclination 82.3 degrees toward the Equator in evenly spread 12 orbital planes with 21 satellites in each plane. Another option called for a 600-kilometer orbit with an inclination 60 degrees, which would require 45 satellites in each of 30 orbital planes. In the meantime, the first Rassvet launch targeted the 82-degree orbit, but as of June 2026, none of the satellites had climbed above 550 kilometers.
The orbit of one satellite has already decayed. The other satellites are all so far operating at orbits ranging from 270 to 550 kilometers, well below their assigned orbits. Moreover, some have actually started to maneuver downward after climbing upward for several months.
The constellation is being built by Bureau (Buro) 1440, a so-called private company in Russia. The first launch occurred from Russia’s Plesetsk spaceport in March, 2026, and was unannounced apparently to avoid an attack by Ukrainian drones. The Ukraine considers this constellation a Russian war asset, as it will be used in a similar manner to Starlink. The second launch was expected several weeks ago, but then never happened.
Overall, the constellation of 700+ satellites is supposed to be fully deployed by 2035. Based on past Russian behavior, expect it to be delayed significantly beyond that. The Ukraine need not consider it a big threat.
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