RUSSIA TO LAUNCH SATELLITE INTERNET SERVICE TO RIVAL STARLINK

Russia is preparing to launch its own satellite internet service, positioning it as a direct competitor to SpaceX's Starlink.

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Officials say the project, which has been in development for several years, is aimed at ensuring the country’s digital sovereignty, reducing reliance on foreign technologies, and offering high-speed internet access across remote regions.

A STARLINK RIVAL WITH GEOPOLITICAL STAKES

The Russian initiative, sometimes referred to by insiders as “Sphere,” involves a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites designed to deliver broadband connectivity across the country and potentially abroad. Much like Starlink, the network will use thousands of satellites to beam internet to ground stations and user terminals.

“Russia cannot depend on foreign satellite infrastructure for critical connectivity,” said a government adviser quoted by Russian state media. “We must build our own system to guarantee sovereignty in cyberspace.”

TECHNICAL PLANS AND CHALLENGES

Russia's federal space agency Roscosmos has outlined plans to deploy hundreds of satellites in the first phase, with more to follow if the service proves viable. Launches are expected to begin in 2026 using the Angara and Soyuz rockets. The system will require new user terminals, which Russian state-backed firms are reportedly developing.