Putin hails ‘genius’ Musk, cites satellite coordination

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as "a real genius" on Wednesday, October 28, and said Moscow is coordinating on low-Earth-orbit satellite networks with the SpaceX chief and other US partners despite political tensions between the two countries, Bloomberg reported. He made the remarks while touring an exhibition at the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. He also admitted that Russia's own Starlink rival, called Rassvet, is far behind.bloomberg.com

"We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr. Musk, because in orbit it is very important not to interfere with each other and to observe certain discipline and order," Putin said, according to Bloomberg and RBC-Ukraine.newsukraine.rbc.ua+1

Rassvet's first steps

Putin called Rassvet a "Russian equivalent" of Starlink and described it as Russia's "first steps" in the field, RBC-Ukraine reported. "Elon Musk is a genius, a true genius. How many spacecraft does he have in orbit? More than 5,000," Putin said, adding, "And we are only taking our first steps," EFE reported via Clarín. He said the two countries are competitors but argued that neither should get in the other's way. "Both we and our American partners value this, and despite all the political problems, we are working closely," he said, according to EFE.clarin.com+2

Russia's state news agency Sputnik reported that Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev presented Rassvet to Putin and visiting African leaders. It also quoted Putin as saying Russia now needs "to turn that quality into quantity".news-pravda.com

A small constellation so far

Russia put the system's first 16 satellites into orbit in March, and independent tracking databases show a second batch of 16 launched on July 19, RBC-Ukraine reported. Testing reports in late May found no signs that the satellites were being used for military purposes. Moscow has promised round-the-clock coverage, but that would take more than 250 satellites. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence has also identified the developers and manufacturers behind the project, the outlet said.newsukraine.rbc.ua

Summit backdrop

Putin's comments came on the first day of the third Russia-Africa Summit, held in Moscow on October 28 and 29. Putin and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chair, are co-chairing it, Al Jazeera reported. Delegations from 48 of Africa's 54 countries confirmed they would attend, 22 of them led by heads of state, according to Anadolu Agency, citing Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. Participants are expected to adopt an action plan for 2027 to 2029 and a declaration on civilian use of artificial intelligence.mobile.aa.com.tr+1

Putin called the Rassvet system "only our first step," adding, "what matters is that we have taken it".news-pravda.com