Rocket Plant Behind Russia's Starlink Rival Targeted in Ukrainian Strike

Russia's Rassvet Satellite Network

According to ХВИЛЯ: Moscow's satellite broadband project, Rassvet, mirrors SpaceX's Starlink system. Its rollout hinges on the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle, which is built at the Progress plant in Samara. Rassvet satellites have so far been sent into orbit from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, with two successful missions completed. Each Soyuz-2.1b carries 20 satellites, and establishing the initial constellation will require between 12 and 15 launches.

Production and the Attack

The Progress factory in Samara manufactures every component of the Soyuz-2.1b except its engines. In a recent operation, Ukraine hit this facility with Flamingo missiles, though the full impact on the Rassvet program has not been disclosed. Serhiy Flash addressed the situation on Facebook, saying:

"I don't know exactly what damage was done or how it will affect the Rassvet launch schedule. One thing is clear: destroying such a massive rocket production operation would take considerable effort." Serhiy Flash

Rassvet satellites can be launched not only from Plesetsk but also from Baikonur and Vostochny. Some completed rockets may already be stored at these launch sites or in transit, giving Russia a degree of flexibility in scheduling. The country's plan to deploy the Rassvet constellation ultimately relies on steady factory output and available launch capacity.

Any serious disruption at the Progress plant could slow the entire Rassvet effort. Because Russia depends on a single production site, damage to that infrastructure threatens not just launch timetables but the broader performance of its satellite network. If manufacturing or launch operations are delayed, Moscow's strategic ambitions in space technology could face serious setbacks.

As tensions escalate, it's important to understand how Russia's efforts to establish a satellite network similar to Starlink are unfolding. The recent attack on the Progress plant raises questions about the reliability of this system. For a deeper insight into Russia's plans for a Starlink-like network aimed at operations across Ukraine, you can read more here.