Russia is working to build its own satellite network called Rassvet, aiming to reduce its dependence on foreign systems like Starlink. The project, managed by Bureau 1440, plans to launch around 300 satellites by 2026 and expand to 924 by 2035 to support both civilian and military operations. However, the project has faced early challenges. Of the 32 satellites launched so far, none have reached the planned orbit of up to 800 kilometers. Most are stuck at around 500 kilometers, with some even losing altitude. One satellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere in June, and others have not performed any orbital maneuvers, raising concerns about the project's effectiveness. Moscow has grown increasingly concerned about relying on foreign satellite networks since February 2024, when SpaceX stopped allowing Russian military terminals to access Starlink. This move cut off a previously tolerated link that Russia had used to control drones and other equipment during the war in Ukraine. Now, Russia’s satellites, which are limited to 500 kilometers, only pass over Ukraine twice a day, offering only short connection windows. While this reduced coverage might not be ideal, analysts suggest it could still provide enough connectivity for limited military operations, such as guiding drones or remote weapons. The Russian space industry has long struggled with underfunding, and the ongoing conflict with Ukraine has only made things harder. Recently, a factory that produces Soyuz rockets—used to launch Rassvet satellites—was hit in an attack. Additionally, drones have targeted the Plesetsk cosmodrome, a major Russian space launch site. These attacks are likely to delay the project further, which has already faced significant hurdles. The first Rassvet satellites were launched in March and July, but with 32 still in orbit, many are not functioning as intended. It’s worth noting that even SpaceX’s early Starlink satellites had a 13% failure rate before the company improved its technology through repeated launches. This suggests that Russia’s current struggles with Rassvet might not be entirely unprecedented, but the combination of technical issues, funding constraints, and external attacks is making progress even more difficult. As the project moves forward, it will need to overcome these challenges to meet its ambitious goals.