Russia's Starlink rival satellites miss target altitude in orbit

Russia's Rassvet satellite internet constellation, a domestic alternative to SpaceX's Starlink, is facing significant early setbacks as none of the 16 satellites launched in July have reached their planned operational altitude, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War. The development adds to earlier problems with the program and casts doubt on Moscow's ambitious timeline for building a sovereign communications network. The Institute for the Study of War, citing data from satellite tracking service N2YO, reported that the entire second batch of Rassvet satellites, launched on July 19, failed to achieve their target orbit. They were intended to operate at 870 kilometers above Earth, but most are currently orbiting between 300 and 400 kilometers. At least two of these satellites are already losing altitude and are on a trajectory to reenter the atmosphere. This follows difficulties with the first deployment. Of the 16 satellites launched on March 24, only 12 reached a sustainable altitude of approximately 550 kilometers. One satellite from that initial batch, known as Object 4, fell out of orbit in June.