---
title: "Roscosmos invites world nations to join Russia's 'Rassvet' satellite internet"
description: "Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov has invited foreign nations to join Russia's 'Rassvet' low-orbit constellation of 950 satellites, promising speeds of up to 1 Gbps and infrastructure control by national security agencies."
date: 2026-11-12T19:13:41.636Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/roscosmos-invites-world-to-rassvet-satellite-internet
tags: [roskosmos, satellite-internet, rassvet, bureau-1440, starlink, low-earth-orbit, 5g-ntn, space-communications]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Roscosmos invites world nations to join Russia's 'Rassvet' satellite internet

![Russian communication satellite in Earth's orbit with solar panels, view from space](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/roskosmos-predlozhil-miru-sputnikovyi-internet-rassvet/roskosmos-predlozhil-miru-sputnikovyi-internet-rassvet-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Dmitry Bakanov has invited world nations to connect to Russia's 'Rassvet' broadband satellite internet system
- Information security is cited as the key argument: stations will be controlled by each country's own national security agencies
- The 'Rassvet' constellation is being developed by 'Bureau 1440'; the first two satellite batches were launched in 2026
- The plan: 300 satellites in the first phase, up to 950 in the second; stated speed up to 1 Gbps
- Western observers view the project primarily as military and note it will be significantly smaller than Starlink

Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov, at a meeting with heads of diplomatic missions, put forward an initiative aimed at creating an alternative global broadband satellite internet infrastructure. According to him, Russia is building its own low-orbit broadband internet segment and is inviting all partner countries to connect to it. Bakanov identified a key difference from existing Western counterparts, particularly Starlink: the ability to ensure information security at the level of each individual state by placing system stations and segments directly within participating countries, under the control of their own national security agencies.

### Technological Architecture of the 'Rassvet' Constellation

The foundation of the announced system is the 'Rassvet' low-orbit satellite constellation, being developed by the company 'Bureau 1440'. According to Roscosmos, the first two batches of satellites were successfully launched into orbit in 2026. The satellites are built on 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) communication architecture, which ensures compatibility with fifth-generation terrestrial mobile infrastructure. The vehicles are equipped with an upgraded power system, next-generation inter-satellite laser communication terminals, and plasma thrusters, which are expected to extend the satellites' operational life and provide flexibility in constellation management.

### Deployment Phases and Stated Characteristics

According to previously published information, the development of the 'Rassvet' constellation is planned in two phases. In the first phase, it is planned to launch 300 satellites to create basic global coverage. In the second phase, the number of vehicles is expected to be expanded to 950. The stated throughput of the system is up to 1 Gbps, which, according to the developers, will provide high-speed internet access anywhere on Earth. For comparison, the Starlink constellation already has several thousand vehicles, and its target architecture is designed for tens of thousands of satellites.

### Information Sovereignty as a Key Argument

A central thesis in Bakanov's rhetoric is the "complete information security" of the system. As he states, the stations and network segments will be controlled exclusively by the national security agencies of each participating country. Thus, Russia positions 'Rassvet' not just as a technical product, but as a tool of digital sovereignty that is an alternative to the American model, where Starlink infrastructure is under the jurisdiction and control of a single corporation. This argument will likely be aimed primarily at countries that view dependency on Western telecommunications platforms as a geopolitical risk.

### Military Context and Western Observer Assessment

Interest in creating a Russian satellite internet project has spiked amid ongoing combat operations, in which Starlink has become, according to many observers, a critical communication element for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Although Starlink is not officially sold or operational in Russia, BBC reports indicate its terminals have been supplied via "grey imports" and that Russian bloggers have publicly raised funds to acquire them. In this context, the 'Rassvet' program is perceived by Western analysts primarily as a military project. The BBC notes that 'Rassvet' will be "much smaller" than Starlink and, based on available data, is aimed primarily at military needs. The company 'Bureau 1440', entrusted with the development, remains a closed structure about which very little is publicly known.

### Prospects and Open Questions

As of November 2026, only the first two batches of 'Rassvet' satellites are in orbit, and there is a long way to go to reach the 300 satellites planned for the first phase. Experts point out that while plasma thrusters and inter-satellite laser links are technologically advanced solutions, they require validation under long-term orbital conditions. Furthermore, the question of which countries will express readiness to host the infrastructure of the Russian satellite network and hand over control to their national security agencies remains open for now. Nevertheless, Bakanov's initiative confirms Russia's strategic course toward creating an independent global telecommunications infrastructure capable of competing with the American model on both technical and geopolitical levels.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Россия предложила миру свой спутниковый интернет — станции в каждой стране будут контролировать местные силовики](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/12/rossiia-predlozila-miru-svoi-sputnikovyi-internet-stancii-v-kazdoi-strane-budut-kontrolirovat-mestnye-siloviki.html) - Direct quote from Bakanov, constellation parameters (300/950 satellites, 1 Gbps), 5G NTN tech, laser comms, plasma thrusters, company 'Bureau 1440', two batches launched in 2026.
- [Сможет ли Россия построить спутниковый интернет? | Военное время](https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/cvglwx1px7n5o) - Confirms the existence of the 'Rassvet' program and its link to 'Bureau 1440'. Indicates the project will be "much smaller" than Starlink and likely designed for military use. Little is known about 'Bureau 1440'. Does not contradict primary source figures but provides a different assessment of the intended purpose.

## FAQ

### What is the 'Rassvet' constellation and who is developing it?

'Rassvet' is a Russian low-orbit broadband satellite internet constellation being developed by 'Bureau 1440'. The first two batches were launched into orbit in 2026. The satellites use 5G NTN architecture, inter-satellite laser communication, and plasma thrusters.

### How many satellites are planned and what speed is promised?

The first phase aims for 300 satellites for basic coverage, while the second phase aims for an expansion to 950. The stated maximum access speed is 1 Gbps anywhere on Earth.

### What is the main difference between 'Rassvet' and Starlink according to Roscosmos?

According to Dmitry Bakanov, the key difference is information security: stations and network segments are placed on the territory of participating countries and controlled solely by their own national security agencies, unlike the Starlink model, which is managed by a single American corporation.

### What is the assessment of Western observers?

The BBC notes that 'Rassvet' will be significantly smaller than Starlink and, based on available data, is intended primarily for military purposes. 'Bureau 1440' is described as a closed structure with little publicly available information.