An entire batch of Russian low Earth orbit satellites, intended to help create Moscow’s version of Starlink, has failed to reach or remain at their anticipated altitudes just over a month after launch.
The 16 Rassvet-3 satellites, launched on July 19, were originally supposed to orbit the Earth at an altitude of roughly 500 miles, according to the company developing the constellation, Bureau 1440.
But publicly available US Space Force data shows that, as of Tuesday, the Rassvet-3 satellites are instead orbiting at altitudes of between 190 miles and 250 miles.
Atmospheric drag at that altitude significantly shortens a satellite’s operational lifespan. Without intervention, those conditions gradually pull satellites lower...
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