All 16 Russian low-orbit communications satellites 'Rassvet-3', launched on July 19, failed to reach their intended orbital altitude, Business Insider reported, citing data from the US Space Force. The satellites, part of the 'Rassvet' constellation developed by Russian company Bureau 1440 as a Starlink analogue, were planned to enter orbit at approximately 800 km.
As of late August, the satellites are at altitudes between 300 and 400 km, where atmospheric drag shortens their operational lifespan. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that none of the 16 satellites in the second batch even reached 550 km. At least two satellites are approaching the atmosphere and may burn up, with their orbits continuing to decay.
The first batch of satellites, launched in March, also faced issues: by late August, only 12 of 16 had reached and maintained an altitude of 550 km. Thus, 12 of 32 launched satellites, or 37.5%, achieved stable orbit. According to ISW, the first batch provides Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territory with two communication sessions per day, totaling up to 1.5 hours.
Rocket launch analyst Georgy Trishkin told The Insider that it is premature to call this a failure or mass malfunction: the satellites are functioning and communicating with ground terminals that are being actively tested. The intermediate orbit may be a temporary measure during testing of key components. Due to the low thrust of electrostatic engines, orbit raising could take weeks or months. However, this could also indicate problems, such as with the company's proprietary krypton propulsion system or insufficient power generation.
Alexey Shelobkov, head of X Holding, which includes Bureau 1440, stated that the company is operating on schedule and 'even ahead of it', with all technological risks being 'manageable and predictable'. According to him, internal tests and consumer trials began in August instead of September. The first Rassvet terminal was installed on Russian Railways rolling stock, with tests planned to begin shortly.
ISW, however, concludes that the total failure of the second batch indicates Russia's unpreparedness for an accelerated deployment pace and likely further delays. Building its own satellite constellation became a Kremlin priority after February 1, when SpaceX stopped providing Starlink services to Russian forces, effectively depriving them of satellite communications.