Elon Musk is a 'real genius', Putin says after satellite talks with SpaceX boss

What happened: Vladimir Putin said Elon Musk is a "real genius" and that Russia is in "close" contact with him about satellite technology, speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. Key numbers: Starlink has launched roughly 13,000 satellites, according to the company. Online satellite trackers show only a couple of dozen Rassvet satellites in orbit. Why it matters: Putin said contact with Musk is meant to keep Rassvet and Starlink satellites from interfering with each other in orbit. The Russian Embassy in South Africa called Rassvet "Russia's Starlink alternative. Coverage: 3 outlets in 24h

Vladimir Putin said Elon Musk is a "real genius" and that Russia is in "close" contact with him about satellite technology, speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.

Putin said contact with Musk is meant to keep Rassvet and Starlink satellites from interfering with each other in orbit. The Russian Embassy in South Africa called Rassvet "Russia's Starlink alternative.