Putin praises Musk as Russia develops rival satellite system

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 19:40 · Archive

Vladimir Putin said Russia is developing its own satellite internet system while praising Elon Musk as a genius.

Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as a genius and said Russia was in close contact with the SpaceX boss, revealing this at a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. The Russian president said the contact was necessary to ensure Russia's own satellite internet project, Rassvet, and Starlink satellites do not interfere with each other in orbit. Putin described the collaboration as important despite political tensions.

Rassvet represents Russia's effort to develop an alternative to Starlink. According to the BBC, Starlink has launched roughly 13,000 satellites, while Rassvet currently has only a couple of dozen in orbit. Putin acknowledged Russia was only taking first steps in the field. The Russian Embassy in South Africa described Rassvet as Russia's Starlink alternative.

Ukraine has relied heavily on Starlink for military communications during Russia's invasion. However, SpaceX restricted access to a military version of Starlink called Starshield in October, hampering Ukraine's drone operations and air defences. Musk later acknowledged that SpaceX had intentionally closed a loophole allowing military use of the civilian Starlink service.

How it is being reported

• Elon Musk is a 'real genius', Putin says after satellite talks with SpaceX bossThe Russian President praised Musk and said they are in "close" contact.BBC News · 28 Oct, 19:15
• Vladimir Putin hails Elon Musk’s ‘genius’ amid plans for Russian StarlinkRussia plans to build own version of US billionaire’s satellite communications to help attack Ukraine Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk’s genius and said he was in touch with Starlink’s controlling shareholder as Russia develops its own satellite communications for its military to use against Ukraine. The Russian president, speaking at a summit with African leaders in Moscow, was comparing the Earth-orbiting network built by Musk’s SpaceX with Russia’s gradual efforts to build its own Rassvet constellation. Continue reading...The Guardian · 28 Oct, 18:32

In this story: Vladimir Putin · Elon Musk · SpaceX · Russia · Ukraine · Starlink

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