Russia’s Rassvet satellite internet project has lost a second production spacecraft in 2026. Orbital tracking shows that Rassvet-3 No. 17 reentered Earth’s atmosphere after remaining below its intended working orbit, adding pressure to Russia’s plan to build a competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink.
Satellite tracking records list October 29, 2026, as its decay date, while The Aerospace Corporation estimated reentry at about 02:48 UTC on October 30, with a three-hour uncertainty window. Rassvet-3 No. 17 was launched on July 19, 2026, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome as one of 16 satellites in the second production batch.
The satellite reached an initial low orbit after launch but did not climb to the higher altitude used for planned operations. Its altitude gradually dropped until it reentered Earth’s atmosphere. Public orbital records show the satellite’s movements, but they do not identify the exact technical reason why it failed to reach its working orbit.
The failed satellite was part of Russia’s Rassvet project, which is being developed by the Russian technology company Bureau 1440. The system is designed to provide high-speed internet connections through a large network of satellites operating in low Earth orbit. It could support communications in remote regions where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
Rassvet’s planned broadband service uses dedicated satellite terminals, which is different from satellite direct-to-phone services that allow compatible smartphones to connect without a traditional satellite dish.
Russia launched its first group of 16 production Rassvet satellites on March 23, 2026, followed by another 16 on July 19, as described in Bureau 1440’s official second-launch announcement. However, the deployment has faced several technical difficulties. One satellite from the first group, Rassvet-3 No. 4, reentered Earth’s atmosphere on June 6 after failing to successfully raise its orbit.
The latest loss brings the number of production satellites that have reentered the atmosphere to two out of the 32 launched in 2026, leaving 30 in orbit. As of November 2, independent tracking places approximately 26 near the constellation’s working altitude of 509 kilometers, with two still climbing and two remaining at lower altitudes. However, reaching the working altitude does not automatically mean a satellite is fully ready for commercial internet service.
The July launch’s 16 satellites were initially observed at lower altitudes, leading to reports that the batch had failed. Later tracking showed that many reached the constellation’s working altitude, so those early claims overstated the problem. The loss of Rassvet-3 No. 17 is a setback, but it does not mean all 16 satellites from the second launch were lost.
Another July satellite, Rassvet-3 No. 23, appeared at risk after spending months in a low orbit. However, more recent tracking shows that it has started gaining altitude again. This is an encouraging development, although the spacecraft had not yet reached the constellation’s common working altitude as of November 2, and its readiness for normal service remains uncertain.
The Rassvet satellites use onboard propulsion systems to move from their initial deployment orbits to higher positions. If a satellite cannot complete this process, atmospheric drag can gradually pull it closer to Earth. However, the exact technical reason behind the latest satellite loss has not been publicly established.
The project remains important to Russia because reliable satellite internet can improve communication across large distances. Beyond civilian internet access, such technology could support government operations and military communications, including connections used by remotely operated systems.
The project’s strategic importance also comes amid concerns over access to Starlink, with TechBonafide previously reporting on SpaceX’s restrictions on Russia’s unauthorized Starlink use.
Bureau 1440 has said it wants to begin commercial satellite internet service in 2027 and expand the network to hundreds of satellites in the coming years. The company has already reported limited communication tests, including an October 9 satellite video link to a remote industrial site near Norilsk. These demonstrations show that early satellite connectivity is being tested, but they do not mean a nationwide commercial broadband service is already available. Further satellite losses or deployment delays could affect the planned rollout.
Unlike traditional communication satellites positioned much farther from Earth, low-orbit satellites can provide internet connections with lower delays. However, continuous coverage requires many spacecraft working together, making successful launches, orbital adjustments, and satellite reliability essential.
For more background on the technology, TechBonafide’s guide to Starlink internet speed and latency explains how low Earth orbit satellites can reduce connection delays and what factors affect internet performance.
The second satellite loss does not mean the entire Rassvet project has failed. Many surviving spacecraft have reached the observed working altitude, and Bureau 1440 has reported limited communication tests. However, another satellite loss highlights the technical challenges and scheduling risks involved in expanding the constellation into a reliable commercial network.
The next major test will be whether Bureau 1440 can maintain reliable satellite operations, successfully deploy additional spacecraft, and expand the network quickly enough to meet its planned service targets.
