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Russia's Satellite Pioneer: 30 Years of Mobile Comms
19 Feb
Summary
- Gonets system began with upgrading military satellites for civilian use.
- It pioneered mobile satellite communications years before foreign rivals.
- The system operates even at the North and South Poles, serving remote areas.
The Gonets Satellite System is celebrating its 30th anniversary, highlighting its pioneering role in mobile satellite communications. Initially developed by upgrading special-purpose military satellites for civilian applications, the system has proven to be a successful example of conversion.
Gonets specialists demonstrated personal satellite channels with mobile subscribers in December 1992, predating similar foreign systems. The first-generation Gonets-D1 constellation launched on February 19, 1996, with one satellite serving nearly 20 years.
The second-generation Gonets system, completed in 2015, is currently operational. It provides essential communication services in areas without terrestrial network coverage, including polar regions. As of January 1, 2026, all vessels in Russia's fishing fleet will utilize Gonets ship earth stations for primary technical monitoring, transitioning away from British Inmarsat stations.
Russia's fishing fleet will exclusively use domestic orbital constellations like Gonets, Yamal, and Express for transmitting vessel location data to the Industry Monitoring System of the Russian Federal Fisheries Agency. This move signifies a complete adoption of Russian technology for fleet monitoring.
