The production of the first satellite of the new Russian space group "Skif" for providing broadband Internet access has begun. This is stated on September 24 on the channel of the satellite-building enterprise "Information satellite Systems" named after Reshetnev " in YouTube.
Work has begun on the manufacture of the Skif-D device, the report says.
"Skif" will be ready to enter the multifunctional satellite system "Sphere" together with a number of other satellite systems. The system will consist of 12 vehicles in an orbit with a height of 8070 km. It is planned to launch two more satellites in 2024, six in 2026 and four in 2028.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the Sphere satellite system in 2018. It is designed to become a competitor to the foreign OneWeb and Starlink systems, which are designed to provide communication and Internet access throughout the World.
On June 15, Alexander Kuzovnikov, Deputy General Designer of the Reshetnev ISS, said that the first spacecraft of the Skif system will be launched in the fall of 2022, the Federal News Agency notes. By the end of this year, engineers will present the materials of the preliminary design and create the first prototype device.
In October 2019, the head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, said that the state corporation intends to start deploying the Sphere from 2021.
The program involves the creation of a satellite constellation of more than 600 spacecraft. According to Roscosmos, its main goal is to provide high-quality space services in Russia by creating new domestic space technologies, systems and products for effective digital transformation of the economy, as well as ensuring the country's security.