Russia has submitted a formal filing to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for a proposed satellite network called Rassvet-4, marking a further step in its plans to develop a domestic rival to SpaceX’s Starlink broadband service.
The filing outlines a proposed constellation of 374 satellites operating at an altitude of 800 kilometres across 17 orbital planes. Each satellite is expected to carry 12 transmission beams, supporting the delivery of broadband connectivity from low Earth orbit.
The project is being developed by Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440. It follows the launch of 32 Rassvet-3 satellites earlier in 2026, although two have since fallen out of orbit and the remaining 30 have yet to reach their planned altitude. Rassvet-4 is believed to be an improved version designed to address these early technical problems.
The satellites have been deployed in batches using Soyuz rockets from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, with launches taking place in March and July. However, the network has experienced technical difficulties during its early deployment.
The latest filing highlights Russia’s continued ambition to establish an independent satellite broadband network capable of competing with Starlink, although significant technical and deployment challenges remain.
