Launched weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the satellite appears to be spinning uncontrollably, suggesting it may no longer be functioning.
While Russian officials claim the satellite has a purely scientific mission operating in a a relatively isolated, high-radiation orbit at an altitude of about 2,000 kilometers, experts suggest its operating conditions point to military testing. According to the U.S., Russia has for years been developing a nuclear weapon capable of destroying entire satellite networks, such as SpaceX's Starlink internet system used by Ukrainian troops.
Anomalies in Cosmos 2553’s behavior were detected by LeoLabs in November 2022, and by December, it was apparent that the satellite had lost stability. Additional radar measurements and images confirmed its movement in space and rendered it inoperable.
"This observation strongly suggests the satellite is no longer operational," the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, said of LeoLabs' analysis.
The U.S. Space Command reported the orbital changes but refrained from a detailed assessment.
While some observations indicate partial stabilization, it remains unclear whether the satellite is operational or has sustained critical damage. This could be a major setback for Moscow's space weapons efforts.