Project "Sphere": How Satellites are Developing in the Russian Space Industry

The new year 2024 brings the Roscosmos project "Sphere" to a new stage. The first of the federal project's devices, the Skif-D demonstration satellite, successfully spent almost two years in space, tested new technical solutions and protected the orbital frequency resource of the system. Now, repeated radio frequency applications will be sent to the International Telecommunication Union by the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems by the end of October.

The goal of the "Sphere" project is to create multi-satellite constellations that will provide broadband Internet access, the development of satellite communications and remote sensing of the Earth. Moreover, the Internet will be available both in permafrost conditions and in the deep tundra
Image source GK «Roscosmos»

Roscosmos has already signed a contract with ISS named after Reshetnev for the creation of a system of "Scythians" for broadband Internet access. In 2024, their sketch will be presented, assembly and construction will begin. And in 2026-2027, a pair launch of six "Scythians" is planned.

Another series of "Sphere" satellites, "Marafon IoT" on a "smart" battery, will consist of 264 spacecraft that will provide data transmission services throughout the Earth. The satellites will have to operate in a low circular orbit at an altitude of 750 km, where they will be distributed over 12 planes with a near-polar inclination. Five experienced and 132 regular "Marafon IoT" satellites will be assembled by the same ISS named after Reshetnev.

ISS named after Reshetnev has already completed work on the project of a domestic satellite "Express-AMU4" based on "Express-1000N", which is planned to be launched as early as 2026. It will provide communication and broadcasting over America, Europe, parts of Africa and the Middle East and will last at least 15 years. "Express-AMU4" will also become part of the "Sphere".

The satellite system for panoramic optoelectronic surveying "Grifon" is also included in this project, to which private investments will be attracted. Its 136 small spacecraft will provide data from the territory of Russia every 30 hours. The first four experimental devices have already begun to be assembled, they will be launched in 2024. The main group of satellites will be launched and deployed in 2025-2026. The public-private initiative will deal with research and technical tasks, as well as shooting the Earth from space.

Part of the cost of production of orbital constellations is planned to be covered by the formation of a market for private space services. Roscosmos has at least one project to create a satellite system designed for private initiative.

[...]Also in 2023, the State Corporation signed a contract and began work on the formation of the appearance of a low-orbit direct satellite access system (Direct-to-Cell). After that, the preliminary design of the system and the creation of two experimental devices will begin. The project focuses on attracting private and small innovative companies and institutions.

Press service of the State Corporation "Roscosmos"

According to the head of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, by 2030, private companies will most likely help with the launch of about 600 satellites. This is about 40% of the planned volume of the orbital constellation of approximately 1,700 Russian satellites for various purposes.