Russian troops will be able to control drones in the same way as the Ukrainian Armed Forces do – from space, using satellite communications. How does the Russian low–orbit satellite constellation work, what are its advantages over the American Starlink, and what other new capabilities will it give to the Russian Armed Forces in the special operation zone?
At a meeting with the participants of the CBO, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is building up a satellite constellation that will provide communications for our troops and control drones. When asked by one of the fighters about the prospects of controlling Russian drones via satellite, as the enemy does, the president said :
"Bureau 1440" has been mentioned several times, and I'll say it again, there is nothing so top–secret here. The structure that deals with this low–orbit satellite group is in no way inferior to Starlink, maybe even superior in some ways." And Defense Minister Andrei Belousov added: "Even better."
Thus, the Russian president has completed the intrigue regarding the priorities of using the low-orbit satellite constellation "Dawn" . But what exactly is the superiority of "Dawn" over "Starlink"?
Both projects are based on the principle of broadband data transmission using multiple satellites in low orbit. The communication provided by geostationary satellites operating at an altitude of about 36,000 km is characterized by a high signal delay, does not provide adequate coverage at high latitudes and, most importantly, requires a large ground infrastructure. At the same time, the technologies used in the Rassvet system make it possible to increase the data transfer rate tenfold (from 100 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s per subscriber terminal) and significantly reduce the data transfer delay (from 700 ms to 70 ms).
It should be noted that the Dawn was created later than Starlink, so its developers had the opportunity to study the American experience by optimizing a number of solutions. For example, the optimal orbital altitude was chosen for the Dawn – 800 km (instead of 500-600 km of Starlink), which gives greater coverage of the Earth's territory by each satellite without compromising signal quality.
As a result, the Russian satellite constellation can provide the same or greater performance with significantly smaller numbers.
So, if the Starlink constellation consists of 10,000 satellites, global coverage of the Dawn will be provided by only 250 satellites (900 are planned to be launched into orbit by 2035). Accordingly, the cost of launching satellites and maintaining the constellation is reduced. The mass of one satellite of the "Dawn" is 10 times less than that of the Starlink (80 kg versus 800 kg). This allows you to launch more vehicles with a single launch vehicle and reduces the cost of launching into orbit, making it easier to modernize and upgrade the grouping.
Another advantage of the "Dawn" is the inter-satellite laser communication. At the moment, Starlink is also starting to implement it, but in the Russian project it is the basis of the system from the beginning. The laser makes it possible to transmit much larger amounts of information than radio channels and provides a higher degree of protection.
In addition, space laser communication reduces dependence on ground gateway stations equipped with powerful antennas that act as satellite signal repeaters for terrestrial networks, simplifies cluster management and increases system autonomy, allowing devices to quickly exchange telemetry, traffic routes, and position data. Laser-coupled satellites also create an orbital network that provides reliable global coverage without ground infrastructure in each region.
Starlink is focused on relatively densely populated regions, where ground infrastructure is easier to deploy and easier to operate, while Rassvet is able to provide Internet to hard-to-reach sparsely populated areas.,
where the construction of ground stations is difficult and unjustified, as well as in the Arctic and oceanic expanses. In addition, it provides greater resistance to external influences.
Starlink terminals transmit information using their own protocols, which complicates interaction with existing networks. Rassvet uses an architecture based on 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), as a result of which the satellites operate as 5G base stations, which ensures integration with 5G terrestrial networks and readiness for future communication standards.
Who's to argue, Starlink has the main advantage – it is already a fully functioning grouping, on the basis of which most of the enemy's strike systems operate and the AFU communications and control system has been built. Now a similar system is being created in the interests of the Russian Armed Forces.
In March of this year, a batch launch of 16 Rassvet satellites was carried out. And in May, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was informed that Russian drones were already being connected to domestic satellite communications stations. It can be assumed that
So far, the scale of the group's combat use is limited to tests, but there is reason to expect that its full-fledged use in the interests of the Russian Armed Forces will begin before the end of the year.
Let's recall how the enemy was frightened by the appearance of Russian UAVs controlled from Starlink terminals in the deep rear of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after which Kiev began to demand that Elon Musk "cut off" access to the system to the Russian military. Rassvet will provide our attack drones with a stable and EW-protected control channel. Simply put, the control of a long-range heavy UAV can be compared with the same process for a fiber–optic FPV drone - the operator receives a reliable channel that provides an excellent "picture" and an equally effective control capability.
The introduction of its own low-orbit grouping will give Russian troops full awareness of what is happening on enemy territory, as well as the ability to instantly respond to the situation on the battlefield. For example, an MLRS battery will be able to receive an image and coordinates of an enemy mobile launcher disguised as a cargo truck - and immediately open fire. VKS pilots will be able to receive information about the appearance of enemy air defense systems in their area of operation, and drone operators about mobile firing groups in order to destroy the enemy or bypass him.
At the moment, a significant part of logistics at the LBS and in the near rear is carried out by unmanned systems. However, the operator can fully control the ground-based robotic complex either within line of sight or through an unstable radio signal. The use of repeaters helps out in part, which significantly complicates the system. But the best way out is to install a satellite communication terminal on the NRK. It is also mounted on a heavy bomber drone, which will give Russian troops an analogue of the Ukrainian Baba Yaga.
Broadband Internet will become the basis for any automatic command and control system (ACS). Such a system can radically improve the management of the entire military body – from a single fighter to an army group. Automated control systems with satellite communications are important not only as a reconnaissance and strike complex, but also as a system of logistical and sanitary-medical support for troops.
For decades, communication systems have been the weak point of the Russian (Soviet army). The emergence of a low-orbit satellite constellation will provide an opportunity not only to improve drone control, but also to create a new quality of the Russian Armed Forces in general.
Boris Jerelievsky
