Russia and Belarus plan to launch a constellation of three research satellites into orbit in 2028. All three spacecraft will receive inter-satellite communication modules. The spacecraft will be able to exchange information and transmit data to Earth not only directly, but also through another satellite. Sergey Korenyako, head of the department of joint programs for space and information technologies at the United Institute of Informatics Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, revealed the details.
The development of the satellites is being carried out within the framework of the Union State program, which will be completed in December 2026. Starting in 2027, a separate project is planned to prepare the spacecraft for launch, and their launch into orbit is scheduled for 2028.
All three satellites will receive inter-satellite communication modules. Thanks to this, one spacecraft will be able to transmit commands and information through another if necessary. According to Korenyako, this scheme should allow the satellites to interact with each other, rather than relying solely on a direct connection with ground stations.
One of the spacecraft will be Belarusian and will monitor the state of the ionosphere. This is the upper part of the Earth's atmosphere, whose properties can change during ionospheric storms. According to Korenyako, such disturbances affect the propagation of long radio waves and can affect the operation of power plants at large enterprises.
The data received from the satellite, in particular, is planned to be used at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant.