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Russia's Starlink Rival Faces Challenges

September 20, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Russia is building its own Starlink rival, Rassvet.
Technical issues have hindered satellite deployment.
Ground threats from Ukraine target Russian space infrastructure.
Delays may push full deployment to 2030.

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Strategic Implications

Russia's struggles with its Rassvet satellite constellation may indicate significant challenges in developing a reliable alternative to Starlink, which could impact its military communications and operations. The program's delays and technical issues suggest that Russia may face difficulties in achieving its goals, which could have broader implications for its military capabilities and global influence.

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What Happened

Technical Issues And Ground Threats Hinder Russian Satellite Program

Russia’s efforts to develop its own satellite constellation, Rassvet, as a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink, are facing significant challenges. Technical issues with the satellites’ deployment and ground threats from Ukraine are hindering the program’s progress. The Russian military’s reliance on satellite communications for command-and-control and drone operations makes the successful deployment of Rassvet crucial. However, delays and setbacks may push the full deployment of the constellation to 2030, according to analysts. This story was first reported by RFE/RL.

Source | Originally Published: September 16, 2024

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