Russian "Starlink" to get a cheap rocket, but not for everyone

PJSC "ODK-Kuznetsov" is developing the NK-3 engine. The thrust of the power plant is 4.5 tons. The product is intended for the first and second stages of the new "Voronezh" rocket.

The first stage uses 12 engines, the second — one. The power plants will run on environmentally clean fuel. The carrier is being developed by the private company "3D Research and Development."

The rocket is liquid-fueled, length — about 20 m, diameter — 2 m. Launch mass — around 35 tons. Payload mass reaches 250 kilograms. The carrier is designed for rapid deployment of small satellites. The first launch is scheduled for 2029.

Developers emphasize: the rocket will be cheap. As stated by the company, "it can be produced en masse." This is critically important for creating the "Rassvet" orbital constellation from "Bureau 1440." "Voronezh" is ideal for launching its satellites. And although it's still far from a full Starlink replacement, the prerequisites for such a domestic solution are already forming.

The project's goal is broadband internet access with speeds up to 1 Gbit/s per terminal. Signal latency — up to 70 ms. The program provides for phased deployment: 156 satellites in 2026, 292 (commercial service launch) — in 2027, 318 — in 2028. By 2035, up to 900 satellites are planned to be launched into orbit.

This is incomparable to the American Starlink, supported by thousands of satellites. But there's no need to compete with SpaceX's brainchild. According to military correspondent Alexander Kots, "the primary task is to provide our military with high-speed satellite internet, not to 'hand out Wi-Fi' to the whole world. This is a matter of national security." Without such connectivity, waging conflicts in the 21st century is extremely difficult.