Russia’s Cosmos 2553 satellite has piqued the interest of space analysts due to the spacecraft seemingly spinning out of control. Space asset trackers, Spaceflux, broke the news when the Russian satellite – which is heavily tied to a nuclear anti-satellite program – was moving in a spinning motion. This could mean one of many things for the controversial spacecraft. What that is remains to be seen.
Marco Rocchetto, CEO of Spaceflux, took to LinkedIn and said: “overnight, our sensor site in Cyprus observed the Russian satellite Cosmos 2553. In just a 5-minute pass, our optical tracking captured significant photometric variations between 0.7 and 3 magnitudes—a strong indication of tumbling. Using periodogram analysis (a method that identifies repeating patterns in brightness data), we determined that Cosmos 2553 is spinning with a period of approximately 2.2 seconds.”
What Does Russia’s Cosmos 2553’s Movements Tell Us?
The satellite has been tracked for some time by Spaceflux. However, it was only a matter of days ago that the news broke of the satellites uncontrollable spinning. One of the reasons why this has drawn the interest from experts is because of what the spinning means for Cosmos 2553.
When a satellite spins, it could spell disaster, with Rocchetto saying: “such rapid tumbling suggests the satellite may no longer be operational, aligning with assessments by US analysts.” If the satellite is inoperational, this could be a blessing for western allies. The satellite is embroiled in controversy. Namely, it’s linkage to a nuclear anti-satellite weapons program. Therefore, if it’s no longer operational, it could mean the program has stagnated.
All in all, Rocchetto added that the spinning could highlight that: “optical sensing uniquely allows for this type of photometric analysis – capabilities radar alone cannot provide.” Currently, little information regarding the satellite’s functionality is shrouded in secrecy. Information will most probably remain guarded. As such, the satellite’s fate may never come to light. Nonetheless, as Kylie Manogue once said: “you spin me right round” and this rings true for Cosmos 2553.
Russia’s Cosmos 2553 Controversial Past & Nuclear Weaponry Connections
Cosmos 2553 has had hairs raising since its development was leaked during the Biden Administration. Launched in 2022, the satellite has been a topic of discussion ever since. And that’s for a number of reasons, as well as its intrinsic secrecy. One of those reasons being: reportedly, Russia is working on a nuclear satellite operation, designed to destroy satellites in orbit. If the satellite program is deployed this could breach the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Not to mention, it could result in space-based conflict, with western allies fearful that they’ll lose dependable and needed orbital assets.
However, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute states that Cosmos 2553’s involvement in the nuclear program was, in actuality, a mistruth. In fact, they state: “[Cosmos 2553 is] a Neitron radar reconnaissance satellite.” While this is still disputed, and many remain divided on its connection, the spinning is still piquing interest. What will come of the satellite remains to be seen. But, analysts will be trying to work out what happened to the contentious spacecraft.
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