Skip to content
Opinion

Russian Kosmos 2553: Scientific Satellite or Weapon of Mass Destruction?

The race is on to weaponize space even if it is being done surreptitiously. Will the global powers agree to having their actions overseen by a common regulator?
Russian Kosmos 2553: Scientific Satellite or Weapon of Mass Destruction?
3D VFX Rendering of Satellite attacking another Satellite with laser. (Source: Shutterstock)

Share This Post:

By Steve Taranovich

What’s at stake:

Global powers are increasing their space-based capabilities over the next decade to secure their defense and economic interests. Creating a free-for-all environment presents unacceptable risks to global stability. Has Russia triggered the rush for unfettered space-based weapons systems?

Why did Russian Aerospace Forces launch the Kosmos 2553 satellite (to a highly unusual trajectory in a lonely orbit at 1,240 miles above the Earth) on February 5, 2022? Moscow tells the world they are testing their latest onboard instruments and systems. Given the lack of transparency about such programs, however, I am skeptical.

The United States Space Command is very interested in this Soviet satellite as it orbits the Earth every two hours in a “graveyard” orbit, a.k.a. the high-radiation “Van Allen belt,” a band where disposal or junk typically orbit, outside of common operational orbits.

Kosmos 2553 shares this particular orbit with 10 “dead” satellites that have floated within the belt for many years. The rarely used, high-radiation Van Allen belt circles planet Earth and satellites here eventually fall into the stratosphere and burn up. Why would Moscow put Kosmos 2553 in such an orbit around our planet?


This is great stuff. Let’s get started.

Already have an account? Sign in.