# Putin praises Musk as Russia and SpaceX discuss satellite coordination

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/elon-musk-is-a-real-genius-putin-says-after-satellite-talks-with-spacex-boss/
- Published: 2026-10-28T19:15:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T19:22:16+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Technology (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c63djl148n3eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, Science, Space, Technology, World

## Key points

- Putin praised Musk and said they are in close contact.
- Russia is developing Rassvet as a satellite internet alternative.
- Starlink has about 13,000 satellites; Rassvet has a couple of dozen.

## Summary

Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as a “real genius” and said Russia is in close contact with him about satellite technology. The comments came as Putin promoted Rassvet, Russia’s satellite internet project, and said coordination with the US was important to prevent Rassvet and SpaceX’s Starlink satellites from interfering with each other.

Starlink has launched about 13,000 satellites, while only a couple of dozen Rassvet satellites are currently in orbit, according to online trackers. Russia’s embassy in South Africa described Rassvet as the country’s Starlink alternative and said it was at an early stage. The remarks come amid closer US-Russia contacts and recent Starlink connectivity problems affecting Ukraine’s military; Musk has said SpaceX deliberately caused those problems.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.