Russia’s Starlink Rival Falters as Entire Satellite Batch Misses Target Altitude
Russia's second batch of 16 Rassvet satellites, launched as a rival to SpaceX's Starlink, failed to reach their intended operational altitude of 870km. Many of the satellites hit less than half their target altitude, with two falling back to Earth. This setback compounds issues with the first batch of 16 satellites, which also experienced failures.
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- ✓ All 16 of Russia's latest satellites for its Starlink rival failed to reach their intended orbit.
- ✓ The 16 satellites form the second batch of the Rassvet-3 constellation, which now only has 12 out of 32 launched satellites set for long-term orbit.
- ✓ At least three of the first 32 Rassvet satellites likely suffered outright failures.
What changed
The entire second batch of Russian Rassvet satellites failed to reach their target operational altitudes, marking a significant setback for Russia's Starlink rival.
Live updates
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Russia's Starlink Rival Falters as Satellites Miss Target Altitude
Russia's second batch of 16 Rassvet satellites, launched as a rival to SpaceX's Starlink, failed to reach their intended operational altitude of 870km. Many of the satellites hit less than half their target altitude, with two falling back to Earth. This setback compounds issues with the first batch of 16 satellites, which also experienced failures.
Why it matters
Russia's Rassvet satellite constellation aims to provide an alternative to SpaceX's Starlink, a network of satellites offering high-speed internet access. The failure of Rassvet to reach operational altitude hampers Russia's efforts to establish a reliable and widespread internet service, particularly in Ukraine where Starlink has been used extensively. The Rassvet constellation is part of Russia's efforts to expand its presence in space and develop its own satellite internet capabilities.
What is confirmed
- All 16 of Russia's latest satellites for its Starlink rival failed to reach their intended orbit.
- The 16 satellites form the second batch of the Rassvet-3 constellation, which now only has 12 out of 32 launched satellites set for long-term orbit.
- At least three of the first 32 Rassvet satellites likely suffered outright failures.
Still unconfirmed
- Russia's Rassvet satellites are falling towards Earth
What to watch next
- Russia's plans to launch additional Rassvet satellites
- The impact of Rassvet's failures on Russia's internet services in Ukraine
- SpaceX's response to Russia's setbacks with Starlink
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (12)
- Kyiv Post — Russia’s Starlink Rival Falters as Entire Satellite Batch Misses Target Altitude
- Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 31, 2026
- Euronews.com — Russia's Starlink copycat has failed so far, but still threatens Ukraine
- UNITED24 Media — Russia Wanted Its Own Starlink. Now Its Satellites Are Falling Before the Network Even Takes Off
- EUobserver — Russia’s answer to Starlink satellites seen falling towards earth (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,650)
- ua.news — Russia failed to launch the second batch of Rassvet satellites
- Newsweek — Russia’s Race to Replace Starlink Is Failing
- Ukrinform — Russia faces space setback in rapid deployment of Starlink analogue – ISW
- yahoo.com — All 16 of Russia's latest satellites for its Starlink rival failed to reach their intended orbit
- tech.yahoo.com — Russian Starlink rival flounders after entire batch of satellites fails to reach operational altitude — many of the 16 launched hit less than half their 870km target, and two ...
- www.aol.com — All 16 of Russia's latest satellites for its Starlink rival failed to reach their intended orbit
- arstechnica.com — Is Russia’s rival to Starlink failing? Here’s what we know.
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