"Russia has launched the first 16 satellites into space; as part of a program named "Rassvet" (Dawn), they are intended to eventually provide internet connectivity on Earth and replace the American provider Starlink. On Tuesday morning, the aerospace company "Bureau 1440" released images showing the satellites detaching from the launch vehicle. According to Vitaly Egorov, a Russian blogger specializing in space topics, the rocket had launched on Monday evening from the Ministry of Defense's Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in the Arkhangelsk region of northwestern Russia.
"Bureau 1440" further announced that the satellites are now being maneuvered into their target orbit and will subsequently establish a connection. "Dozens of launches and hundreds of satellites" are expected to be required to ensure "global coverage" from low Earth orbit. Starlink—the model for the "Rassvet" project—currently operates more than 10,000 satellites, with plans for further expansion.
Writing on Telegram, Egorov noted that more than ten additional rocket launches and approximately 250 satellites would be needed for a fully functional internet service.
Furthermore, a compact and affordable ground terminal still needs to be developed. While this was the third launch under the "Rassvet" program, it marked the first time mass-produced units were sent into space. A launch of this kind had originally been scheduled for 2025 but was postponed.
Egorov pointed out that the program was initially intended for civilian purposes, such as serving the airline Aeroflot and the Russian state railway. However, after Starlink owner Elon Musk blocked the service for Russians in early February at the request of the Ukrainian side, "the military priority became obvious."” [1]
1. Russland will Starlink ersetzen: 16 Satelliten für Internetverbindung ins All gebracht. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 25 Mar 2026: 6.
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