Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440 has successfully launched the first batch of low-orbit satellites in the Rassvet project - a satellite Internet system expected to compete directly with SpaceX and Elon Musk's Starlink network.
According to Kommersant newspaper, 16 satellites developed by Bureau 1440 were put into space on the evening of March 23. These are the first "pieces" in the plan to build a large-scale satellite constellation to provide broadband Internet throughout Russia.
Initially, these satellites were expected to be launched from the end of last year, but were delayed until this month. After entering orbit, the devices will undergo a testing phase before moving to their official operating location.
The Rassvet project is designed as a domestic alternative to Starlink - a global satellite Internet system developed by American billionaire Elon Musk.
Russia's goal is not only to expand Internet infrastructure in remote areas, but also to reduce dependence on Western technology services in the context of increasing geopolitical competition.
Mr. Alexei Shelobkov, head of Bureau 1440's parent company, said the next phase will include dozens of additional launches to quickly expand the network.
According to the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Mr. Dmitry Bakanov, the Rassvet network is expected to have more than 900 satellites by 2035.
In which, commercial operations may begin as early as next year when about 250 satellites are put into operation.
The project receives large financial support from the Russian government, with about 102.8 billion rubles (equivalent to 1.26 billion USD). Bureau 1440 alone is also expected to invest an additional 329 billion rubles (about 4 billion USD) by 2030.
Despite its great ambition, Rassvet is still significantly behind Starlink. Since 2019, SpaceX has deployed more than 7,000 satellites on low orbits, creating the world's largest satellite Internet today.
However, Russia's official launch of the first satellites shows that the Internet race from space is entering a new phase, where powers are not only competing on the ground but also expanding to Earth orbit.
