Russia to Build Nationwide Ground Station Network for Earth Observation Data
A new digital infrastructure will give the world direct access to Russia’s space-based Earth observation capabilities.
In 2026, Russia will deploy a national network of ground stations to receive data from Earth observation satellites. The project, led by Terra Tech in partnership with other companies, will cover the entire country and be open to both domestic and international clients. It is expected to eliminate one of the last “white spots” on the global map of satellite data services.
According to Pavel Cherenkov, CEO of Terra Tech, most satellite orbits pass over Russia, yet the country has so far been absent from the rapidly expanding international “Ground-as-a-Service” (GaaS) market, reports Commnews The new independent network of universal X-band stations will receive data from both Russian and foreign satellites. Operations will be managed from a central hub in Moscow, with data transmitted between nodes over secure high-speed channels.
The development of this digital infrastructure carries strategic importance for Russia. As noted by Karen Kazaryan, Head of Analytics at the “Digital Economy” organization, the Russian Earth observation market is still in its infancy but holds huge growth potential — up to 50 billion rubles (approximately $600 million) by 2030. Satellite data is crucial for public administration, agriculture and forestry, monitoring the Northern Sea Route, and national security.
Remote sensing technologies are already proving their value. The Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) uses satellite imagery to monitor forests, detect illegal logging, assess wildfire damage, and plan restoration efforts.
Meanwhile, Roscosmos and the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr) are strengthening cooperation in mapping and geospatial services for citizens and businesses. By 2026, satellite imagery resolution is expected to reach 1 meter, improving further to 20 centimeters by 2033.
