---
title: "Two private satellites to launch from Vostochny for the first time: Mishustin announces new stage for Russian space industry"
description: "Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that two private satellites will be launched from Vostochny in 2026. The names of the satellites and the launch vehicle have not been disclosed."
date: 2026-11-10T18:33:17.825Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/first-private-satellites-to-launch-from-vostochny
tags: [vostochny-cosmodrome, russian-space, private-satellites, mishustin, earth-remote-sensing]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Two private satellites to launch from Vostochny for the first time: Mishustin announces new stage for Russian space industry

![Launch of a launch vehicle from the Vostochny Cosmodrome at night with bright flames.](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/10/vostochny-vpervye-zapustit-chastnye-sputniki/vostochny-vpervye-zapustit-chastnye-sputniki-1.webp)

## Key Points

- In 2026, two private satellites will be launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome for the first time, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stated.
- The government intends to expand support for private space projects and create a commercial model for providing Earth observation data.
- The specific satellites and the launch vehicle have not been named; the Soyuz-2.1b or another light-class rocket is likely.

At a strategic session dedicated to the development of the Russian space industry, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin announced that in 2026, two private satellites will be launched into orbit from the Vostochny Cosmodrome for the first time. The announcement was made during a discussion on the prospects of the domestic space sector and became one of the key points of the meeting, setting a vector for further integration of private capital into state space programs.

### Private segment enters orbit

Specific names of the spacecraft that will be the first private satellites launched from the Vostochny site were not disclosed during the session. As follows from Mishustin's statement, these are two units scheduled for launch this year. The absence of public identification of the spacecraft at the time of the announcement does not exclude that the details of the mission—orbital parameters, purpose, and operators—will be presented during subsequent technical briefings or as part of reporting on relevant contracts.

### Commercial model and Earth observation data

In addition to the launch itself, the head of government outlined a systemic task: to expand the practice of state support for private space projects while ensuring equal conditions for all market participants. Mishustin placed particular emphasis on forming a full-fledged commercial model for providing Earth remote sensing (ERS) data. According to him, high-resolution imagery is already available on a paid basis to almost all organizations and departments, which, according to the government's assessment, creates prerequisites for attracting additional private investment into the segment.

### Launch vehicle to be used

The Vostochny Cosmodrome, located in the Amur Region, has infrastructure for launching medium- and heavy-class rockets—Soyuz-2.1a, Soyuz-2.1b, Angara-A5—as well as light-class carriers Angara-1.2 and Soyuz-2.1v. For the launch of the two small-class satellites mentioned by Mishustin, the Soyuz-2.1b or another light-class vehicle is considered the most likely candidate for the role of the launch vehicle. The final choice of vehicle was not announced at the time of the statement.

Thus, Mishustin's announcement marks a transition of the Russian space market to a new stage: from predominantly state funding to a model where private operators gain direct access to launch pads and commercial data. The realization of the announced plans in 2026 will be a practical test of how effective the promised "equal competitive environment" for non-state industry participants will turn out to be.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [С Восточного впервые запустят частные спутники — ракету запустят до конца 2026 года](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/10/s-vostocnogo-vpervye-zapustiat-castnye-sputniki-raketu-zapustiat-do-konca-2026-goda.html) - Primary source: Mishustin's statement at the strategic session, list of Vostochny launchers, plans for ERS commercial model. Consistent with the article's core content.

## FAQ

### Which specific satellites will be launched from Vostochny?

The specific names of the two private satellites were not disclosed at the time of the announcement; mission details may be provided later.

### What launch vehicle will be used for the mission?

The final choice has not been announced. The Soyuz-2.1b or another light-class carrier is considered the most likely candidate.

### Who made the statement and where?

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin during a strategic session on the development of the Russian space industry.