russia is losing space: what really lies behind the promises to launch 1,000 satellites
dmitry bakanov, head of roscosmos, has announced a new “national space project” that envisions launching over 1,000 satellites — including 886 for the “rassvet” internet constellation. It sounds ambitious, but achieving this goal is highly unlikely amid the deep crisis currently gripping russia’s space sector.
▫️ In 2024, russia carried out only 17 space launches — fewer than in 2023 (19) and 2022 (21). The 40 annual launches planned by roscosmos remain purely theoretical, with less than half actually implemented. Meanwhile, the United States and China — the leaders of the modern space industry — operate on a completely different scale: 145 and 68 launches, respectively.
▫️ Due to sanctions, russia has lost access to most Western technologies, and launches for foreign clients have virtually ceased. The current pace is the lowest russia has seen since the 1960s.
Amid war, sanctions, and the degradation of its scientific and industrial base, russia is rapidly losing its status as a “space power” — and trying to cover it up with loud declarations about grand projects.
