On October 28, Vladimir Putin stated during a public speech that Russia maintains «close contact» with the United States in the space sector, specifically with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. According to the Russian leader, interaction with American partners is driven by the need «not to interfere with each other» in orbit and to maintain «a certain discipline and order». This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing RIA Novosti and the TSN TV channel.
«A Genial Person»: Evaluating Musk and the Status of the «Rassvet» Project
Putin called Elon Musk «a genial person», referencing the fact that SpaceX has placed thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit. At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized that the domestic low-earth-orbit broadband satellite communication system «Rassvet», which he explicitly called the «Russian analog» of Starlink, is currently only at the stage of «first steps». Thus, Moscow publicly acknowledges the significant technological lag of its own project behind the American competitor.
Launch Chronology: From the First 16 Devices to the Serial Batch
According to data provided in Ukrainian media reports, the first 16 satellites of the «Rassvet» system were launched into orbit in March 2026. By the end of May, it was reported that the devices were in the testing phase, with no signs of military application recorded at that time. The second launch of serial devices took place on July 19, sending another 16 satellites into orbit, as confirmed by independent orbital databases.
Technical Gap: 32 Devices Versus the Required 250+
To provide the round-the-clock global coverage announced by Moscow, the «Rassvet» constellation must number more than 250 devices. Currently, only 32 satellites are in orbit—less than 13% of the required minimum. This means that even with successful testing completion and no technical failures, a significant time and technological gap remains before the system is fully operational.
Ukrainian Intelligence: Who Is Behind «Rassvet»
Earlier, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine released information about the developers and manufacturers involved in the implementation of the «Rassvet» project. According to the GUR, several Russian enterprises are participating in the creation of the system, allowing Kyiv to track the technological capabilities and limitations of the Russian satellite program. The publication of these data became part of a broader analytical effort to monitor Moscow's space ambitions.
Context: Orbital Discipline as a Tool of Diplomacy
Putin's statement on the need to «observe discipline and order» in orbit came against the backdrop of growing space congestion. The Starlink satellite constellation already numbers over 7,000 devices, and similar projects are being deployed in China and Europe. Under these conditions, any maneuvers or collisions in orbit pose risks to multiple operators. Moscow's public rhetoric about «cooperation» with SpaceX can be viewed as an attempt to legitimize its own presence in low orbits and reduce the likelihood of incidents that carry heightened risks of escalation amid geopolitical confrontation.
