The Russian "Dawn" Satellite System Technology Leads "Starlink"

Reference News Network, October 24 report According to the website of "Russian Newspaper" on October 20, Ukrainian President Zelensky has demanded that the United States immediately curb the Russian "Dawn" satellite system or find countermeasures. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, responded by saying: If the Americans try to do so, we will have to take countermeasures against the "Starlink" system, at which point their satellites "will fall like New Year decorations from a dried Christmas tree." What exactly is the "Dawn" system, and why does it instill such fear in Kyiv politicians?

The report states that it is first necessary to clarify that "Dawn" is a system independently developed by the Russian company 1440 Bureau. Like "Starlink," it aims to provide broadband internet services to remote areas, but its uses go far beyond that.

In terms of the system itself, the fundamental difference from "Starlink" is that it has far fewer satellites—only about 300 satellites are planned for deployment, but this does not affect the operational quality of the system at all.

The design principle of the system is as follows: cameras and terminals are installed on drones, and video images are transmitted to the "Dawn" satellites through the terminals. The video signal is relayed from one satellite to another, ultimately reaching the drone control center, where the operator conducts monitoring. This allows the operator to view real-time footage, adjust the drone's flight path, and accurately guide it to the target.

The report points out that the main feature of the new "Dawn" system is the use of laser channels, meaning that information transmission between satellites is achieved through lasers. In the "Starlink" system, this technology is currently only applied to newly launched satellites. Older satellites still use radio communication, which can degrade transmission quality and cause certain interference and signal interruptions during information transmission. Additionally, our satellites are located in orbits over 700 kilometers high, which means we require far fewer spacecraft than "Starlink." This creates conditions for broadband internet coverage across all of Russia and the Northern Sea Route.

The "Dawn" system has strong anti-jamming capabilities. Like "Starlink," it adopted an encrypted version upon launch; for important military information, it is also equipped with additional protection like "Star Shield." The emergence of the new system has caused extreme panic in Ukraine, as the precision of strikes implemented using the "Dawn" system has immediately increased significantly, leaving Ukraine helpless. More importantly, this system is domestically produced in Russia, and no one can cut it off.

According to reports, Russia will launch a batch of new satellites next year, which will significantly expand the satellite constellation, thereby extending the coverage time of satellites over Ukrainian airspace. This will allow Russia to deploy drones throughout Ukraine. This deeply concerns the Kyiv regime: Russia can operate both at the front lines and along the contact line, as well as in western Ukraine and the border areas adjacent to Poland, Romania, and Moldova, meaning that almost all of Ukraine will be under Russian surveillance, and Russia can also carry out high-precision strikes.

Another important point is that Russia has taken the lead in adopting technologies that Elon Musk plans to introduce next year. Specifically, this involves installing "Dawn" terminals on ordinary mobile communication base stations. As long as the telecom companies reach an agreement with the 1440 Bureau, the terminals will be installed. Mobile signals are transmitted from the signal tower to the terminal, from the terminal to the satellite, and then to another terminal on a signal tower located at the other end of Russia.

The report notes that comparing the development intentions of "Starlink" and "Dawn," it is not difficult to find that the Americans always use commercial development as a pretext. In fact, their research and development has been entirely for military needs from the very beginning, and only later did it shift to the civilian sector. Unlike the United States, Russia does not hide its goals and has made the system suitable for civilian use from the outset.

The first batch of test satellites was launched into orbit in 2023. The first batch of mass-produced satellites is scheduled for launch in March 2026, with plans to deploy nearly 300 satellites by the end of 2027. The system is expected to enter commercial operation in 2027.

By 2030, the "Dawn" satellite constellation is expected to have 292 satellites in orbit. By 2035, the number of satellites may exceed 900. (Translation/He Yingjun)