Russia plans to place nearly 100 satellites into orbit by 2031 for communications and control of autonomous transport as part of a state program of preferential leasing. This is reported in materials for the exhibition at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on the development of autonomous transport.
The program provides for the launch of 99 spacecraft, which will form the foundation of the infrastructure for control and navigation of autonomous systems. The satellites will be used to create and update topographic and thematic maps, urban planning, transport management, and environmental monitoring.
In addition, the spacecraft are equipped with receivers for transmitting signals from marine vessels to ground stations, which will enhance shipping safety, including routes along the Northern Sea Route.
At present, five Zorkiy M2 satellites are already in orbit. These spacecraft are produced by the Russian private company Sputnix, which specializes in creating high-tech components for spacecraft, ground equipment for testing, and small space platforms. The company also develops stations for communication with orbital spacecraft and equipment for aerospace education.
Read more materials on the topic:
- Russia expanded its orbital satellite constellation in 2025 — the number of spacecraft reached 300
- As part of the "Solntse-Teragerts" project, artificial intelligence will take on "monitoring" the Sun
- When Russia will begin production of Zorkiy satellites — an analogue of the Starlink system
