The Russian secret satellite Cosmos 2553, which, according to the United States, was part of a nuclear anti-satellite weapons programme, appears to have lost control and is in an uncontrolled orbit. This was reported by Reuters and The Guardian with reference to American analysts.
The satellite, launched in February 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has been exhibiting chaotic movements for over a year. According to LeoLabs, a company that monitors space objects by radar, and Slingshot Aerospace, an optical observation company, the satellite has lost stability and is likely to be out of commission.
The threat of anti-satellite weapons
Cosmos 2553 was considered a key element in Russia’s preparation of nuclear weapons to destroy satellite constellations, including SpaceX’s Starlink, a critical system for the Ukrainian military at the front. Officially, Moscow claimed that the satellite was exclusively for scientific research purposes, allegedly to study radiation effects in orbit.
However, the discrepancy between the official version and the strange behaviour of the satellite only increased suspicions about its military role.
Unusual orbit and technical failures
Cosmos 2553 was placed in an isolated orbit at an altitude of about 2000 km, a region with high levels of cosmic radiation that conventional satellites usually avoid.
Back in May 2024, the Slingshot telescope network detected anomalous changes in the satellite’s brightness, and in November, LeoLabs confirmed unusual rotational movements. In December 2024, experts already declared its uncontrolled rotation with a high probability.
Recently, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington officially announced that the satellite is “apparently no longer functional”.
Silence from Russia and rising tensions
The Russian Ministry of Defence traditionally refrained from commenting. At the same time, the US Space Force Command confirmed the recorded changes in the orbit altitude of Cosmos 2553, but refused to disclose details.
Experts emphasise that disrupting the stability of such a satellite increases the risk of misinterpretation of intentions in space, which could lead to an escalation of military tensions.
Cosmos 2553 is just one of numerous Russian satellites suspected of having a military purpose, which is causing growing concern among the international community – especially as Moscow has repeatedly called Starlink a “legitimate military target”.
